Roma are up against rivals Lazio on Sunday as both clubs return their focus to Serie A after European matches in midweek.
While Roma lost their Europa League match on Thursday to Slavia Prague and Lazio won their Champions League match on Tuesday against Feyenoord, the Giallorossi won their most recent Serie A match (against Lecce) and the Biancocelesti lost theirs (to Bologna).
No one ever knows quite what to expect from a derby, though (especially with neither manager, Jose Mourinho and Maurizio Sarri, agreeing to hold a pre-match press conference) – other than the guarantee that it will be a feisty, full-blooded encounter.
In terms of team news, Roma have been boosted by the returns of Leonardo Spinazzola and Lorenzo Pellegrini to fitness, but both are likely to be substitutes. Paulo Dybala could partner Romelu Lukaku up front, while Bryan Cristante will be back in the side after missing some minutes for the first time this season on Thursday.
The opponents – who are the designated home team for this Stadio Olimpico clash – have Mattia Zaccagni unavailable, but otherwise are largely at full strength amid the return of Luis Alberto.
Lazio won both derbies last season and not since 2016 (when Roma racked up four consecutive derby wins) has either of the rivals won three in a row. Strangely, though, despite it effectively being neutral territory, Roma have not won an ‘away’ derby since December of that same year.
With this serving as the last match before the November international break for both sides, who going into the game are separated by just one point (in Roma’s favour) in the Serie A table, the debrief of any result will be relatively long-lasting, which only adds emphasis to the importance of attaining a positive outcome.
The derby will kick off at 5pm UK time and will be available to watch live on TNT Sports 2.
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