Resurgent rivals meet for Derby della Capitale
Marco Iacobucci EPP / Shutterstock.com
Lazio and Roma come together for the 145th edition of the Derby della Capitale on Sunday and it is set to be a cracking occasion.
Just one point separates the teams at the top end of the Serie A table. Both teams are within touching distance of leaders Juventus, making this one of the most eagerly anticipated meetings of the Roman gladiators we have seen for some time.
Lazio are the home team for this game and a quick look at the trends leading into this match, shows they are on a 9-match unbeaten run in the league. You must go back to January 2013 to find the last time that happened, which shows just how long it has been since Lazio were in this type of form. Simone Inzaghi has been doing an amazing job and this is backed up by the fact the Italian has led Lazio to their best start to a season for 13 years. Confidence is high in the Lazio camp and key players are starting to perform, with the likes of Felipe Anderson showing the ability which had Manchester United eyeing up the Brazilian over a year ago. Ciro Immobile has also been in great form and looks a much better player than he showed at previous clubs, Sevilla and Dortmund.
As for Roma, they come into this match sitting 4 points off Juventus, in second place. The loss at Atalanta two weeks ago, was a disappointment. The performance against Pescara last weekend was good at times but Roma left themselves a nervy finish by allowing the visitors back into the game with 15 minutes left. Luciano Spalletti knows his team cannot afford to give Lazio a glimmer of hope in this match or the outcome will be a lot worse than suffered against lowly Pescara.
If Anderson and Immobile are the men to watch for Lazio, Edin Dzeko is the player Roma fans will be looking to for goals. The Bosnian striker has netted 12 goals in 14 appearances this season, his best return at this stage of a season since his days in German football. Roma have been the most exciting team to watch in Serie this season, scoring 33 goals from their 14 matches, at an average of 2.35 per game. Roma have been excellent in wide areas and Spalletti will be hoping Mohamed Salah is passed fit for the match, as the Egyptian has been in excellent form recently.
Given the strengths of both teams seem to lie in the attacking third, an exciting, open derby match is in prospect. The last ten clashes between Lazio and Roma in Serie A have seen an average of 2.9 goals scored and there is every suggestion there will be more goals to enjoy in this one. Lazio have failed to defeat Roma in their previous seven attempts in Serie A but having seen Roma’s lapses in concentration in recent weeks, will feel this is their chance to put the record straight.
Lazio are flying now and will continue their rise up the Serie A table with a win on Sunday.
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