Staying Top

Come what may, Lazio will remain in pole position in Serie A at the end of Week 10. Edy Reja’s side are currently four points ahead of second-placed Inter and will remain at the top of the table irrespective of their result against Roma.

However, the Rome derby is more than just about points and a win is certainly on Lazio’s agenda. The Aquile are having a brilliant season and they will be keen to augment it by defeating Roma in the first Derby della Capitale.

Furthermore, a win will also boost Lazio’s credentials as Scudetto challengers. Even after over two months of Serie A action, there are still questions of when and not if Lazio’s bubble will burst but a defeat of their arch rivals will certainly help change that perception. The former Italian champions are on a six-match winning run in all competitions.

Losing Is Not An Option

Losing a Rome derby is never an option, either for Roma or for Lazio, but given the current situation with the Lupi, they cannot afford to drop points against their arch rivals.

Claudio Ranieri’s side are currently ninth in Serie A with 12 points from nine matches and with their Scudetto hopes already having disappeared, they now have to start focusing on Champions League qualification and, therefore, cannot drop any points here.

On Wednesday evening the former Italian champions gained a valuable win in Europe as they defeated Basel 3-2 in Switzerland. It extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to three games; Roma are also unbeaten in their last three league fixtures.

Roma talisman Francesco Totti, who is suspended for the match, believes that Lazio will win the game but this shouldn’t make the Lupi players feel any less discouraged.

Lazio

Meghni and Quadri are out injured for the Aquile. Biava is out suspended.

Roma

Taddei, Pizarro, Brighi and Okaka are unavailable for the derby because of injuries, while Nicolas Burdisso is a doubt. Totti is suspended.