Roma vs Lazio preview

April 7, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Lazio vs RomaDerby della Capitale could easily decide which one of the two sides remain in contention for European places, although neither Roma nor Lazio have been too impressive of late.

Things have not been going according to plan for the Giallorossi this season, with Zdenek Zeman utterly failing to get the maximum out of his side.

The Czech coach was in turn replaced by Aurelio Andreazzoli, who has done pretty well since he took over the reigns at Stadio Olimpico.

While losing to Sampdoria in his first match in charge, the talented coach led Roma to four victories and a draw in next five league fixtures, but the good run came to an abrupt end last weekend.

The Giallorossi had the misfortune to become the first team to lose to Palermo after 16 games, and it’s now back to the drawing board for Andreazzoli.

Derby match against Lazio clearly comes at a bad time for the hosts, but Roma are, nonetheless, 1.95 (19/20) favourites at Coral to return to winning ways.

Effervescent captain Francesco Totti is set to be deployed as a lone striker, and he is 2.38 (11/8) at bet365 to score at any time.

Ivan Piris and Pablo Daniel Osvaldo are both banned, while Federico Balzaretti is out with a bout of flu. Nico Lopez and Andrea Florenzi face fitness tests.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-2-1): Stekelenburg – Marquinhos, Burdisso, Castan – Torosidis, De Rossi, Pjanic, Marquinho – Lamela, Florenzi – Totti.

Up until recently, Lazio were doing great in all the competitions entered, but their season has started to take a turn for the worse.

While the team have qualified for the Coppa Italia final, they are on the brink of European elimination following the unfortunate 2-0 defeat at Fenerbahce.

Their league campaign has also been suffering of late, with the Biancocelesti recording three straight defeats before coming from a goal behind to defeat Catania last weekend.

Lazio could still revive their Champions League hopes if they happen to beat their arch rivals, and they are 4.10 (31/10) at BetVictor to do so.

Miroslav Klose is expected to start his first match after a two-month spell on the sidelines, with the German striker 2.75 (7/4) at Paddy Power to mark his return with a goal.

Stefano Mauri, Alvaro Gonzalez and Ederson have shaken off minor knocks, but Sergio Floccari, Abdoulay Konko, Bruno Pereirinha and Andre Dias continue to miss out.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-4-1): Marchetti – Gonzalez, Biava, Cana, Radu – Ledesma – Candreva, Hernanes, Onazi, Mauri – Klose.

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