AS Roma vs Lazio
One of the top Serie A matches to look forward to this weekend is the duel between AS Roma and Lazio, otherwise known as the Derby della Capitale.
While getting bragging rights is one of the objectives of winning this particular fixture, AS Roma and Lazio are probably more focused on getting the full three points because doing so gives them a leg up in the intensifying European race.
Right now, AS Roma have the edge in that regard because they’re in fifth place with 52 points, while Lazio are the seventh seed with 46 points.
Both teams have earned points in their last two games, but only one of them can do so this Saturday night at the Stadio Olimpico, unless this ends up as a draw.
Talking Points
Dybala should be good to go for AS Roma
AS Roma head coach Daniele de Rossi will need Paulo Dybala back at 100-per cent against Lazio this weekend, and the good news is that the Argentinean international is looking and feeling much better lately.
The 30-year-old centre forward played only five minutes in the team’s goalless draw against Lecce, which is a positive development since he missed the two weeks prior due to a thigh injury.
Dybala is one of the team’s most important players since he is their second-leading scorer with 13 goals and seven assists in all competitions this season, so the hope is that he’ll stay injury-free for the rest of the 2023-24 campaign, even though that is unlikely to happen given his checkered injury history.
There’s more positive Serie A 2024 news for AS Roma, as right-back Rasmus Kristensen joined the senior team in group training earlier this week following a month-long absence.
The only key AS Roma player who will be out of this weekend’s Derby della Capitale is backup striker Sardar Azmoun, who has two goals this season.
Lazio suffer huge frontline blow
On the other hand, Lazio manager Giovanni Martusciello will be even more hard-pressed to find more goals because Mattia Zaccagni is going to be sidelined for a couple of weeks after suffering a sprained ankle during the team’s 2-0 first leg loss to Juventus in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
The 28-year-old winger has been a staple in the starting XI because he is the team’s joint-second-leading scorer with four goals this season.
With Zaccagni out, Gustav Isaksen should take the vacated left wing spot in the starting XI. The 22-year-old Dane currently has two goals and two assists this year.
As mentioned in my recent review of the Coppa Italia, Ciro Immobile has to end his scoring drought to give Lazio the best chance of winning more games. The 34-year-old striker is the Biancocelesti’s leading scorer with 10 goals.
Unlike AS Roma, Lazio are coming into this game a bit shorthanded since they will miss the services of Nicolo Rovella, Ivan Provedel, Luca Pellegrini, and Manuel Lazzari due to injuries.
History
These two teams last met during the Coppa Italia quarter-finals in what was an ill-tempered contest, as three players were sent off (Pedro, Sardar Azmoun, and Gianluca Mancini) in stoppage time because a melee ensued.
Lazio came away with a vital 1-0 victory as Mattia Zaccagni converted a penalty kick during the 51st minute. The Biancocelesti are in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, where they’re down by two goals against Juventus.
Before that, these two derby rivals shared the spoils in their last league meeting in November, as neither team found the back of the net.
This is going to be the 183rd edition of the Derby della Capitale, and AS Roma have a big edge in their overall head-to-heads against Lazio with 67 victories to 51, and there have been 64 draws.
Betting Tip
The Serie A 2024 odds expect another dramatic contest between AS Roma and Lazio on Saturday. Because AS Roma are going to be the hosts, they were given the slight edge at 2.25 odds, whereas Lazio are priced at 3.11, and a draw is at 2.99 in the 1X2 market.
Goals have come in short supply in their recent meetings, so SBOTOP bettors should also consider going for another low-scoring contest this weekend, making Under 2.00 at 2.35, Under 2.25 at 1.96, and Total Goal 0-1 at 2.89 other bets to look into. Meanwhile, if you feel that these two Rome derby rivals are going to share the spoils again, then check out Correct Score of 0-0, given its good price of 8.50.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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