Roma vs Lazio Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Derby della Capitale is one of the fiercest rivalries in European football and we have the latest instalment taking place at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend as resurgent Roma now face Lazio.

Kick-off date/time: Sunday 5th January, 2025: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule

How to watch online: UK – TNT Sports & OneFootball / US – Paramount+

Roma Preview: Ranieri rebuilding the Roman ruins

Claudio Ranieri’s Roma begin 2025 sitting tucked inside the top-half of Serie A after a very disappointing start to the season. He is their third manager of the campaign after the sackings of Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric with performances improving since his arrival.

The Giallorossi’s most recent outing saw them travel north to Milan to face AC Milan at San Siro and earn themselves a 1-1 draw with the faltering Rossoneri. Tijjani Reijnders opened the scoring after 16 minutes but Paulo Dybala equalised a few minutes later.

Lazio Preview: Stuttering and frustrated Lazio

Hellas Verona’s miracle worker Marco Baroni took charge of Lazio over the summer and has improved them following the disappointment and underwhelming tenure of Maurizio Sarri and then the short-term spell of Igor Tudor last season.

The capital city club begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots ahead of this one. They were held to a 1-1 draw by league leaders Atalanta last weekend in a game in which they did lead until the 88th minute.

Roma Team News: Cristante injury

One thing that Ranieri has been impressive in doing the last month and a half or so would be the re-integration of Dybala into the Roma starting eleven. His form has been strong but they do remain without Italy international Bryan Cristante due to an ankle injury.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Tasende; Dybala, Pisilli; Dovbyk

Unavailable: Cristante (Injured)

Questionable: 

Lazio Team News: Experienced absentees

Lazio have a couple of key and experienced injury absentees for the derby with Uruguay defensive midfielder Matias Vecino sidelined with a thigh injury, whilst former Barcelona winger Pedro also has a thigh issue. 

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Tchaouna, Dele-Bashiru, Zaccagni; Valentin Castellanos

Unavailable: Matias Vecino (Injured), Pedro (Injured)

Questionable: Lazzari (Injured), Noslin (Injured)

Roma vs Lazio Prediction

Roma had a very difficult set of fixtures to begin the Ranieri reign but, despite results remaining fairly underwhelming, performances had almost immediately improved. They will believe that they can kick on into the New Year. Lazio have been hoovering up points against most of the weaker sides in the league but have found things tough against tougher opposition and, as a result, a double chance bet in favour of Roma would appear a good bet for this one at the Olimpico.

Roma vs Lazio Tip: Double chance – Roma to win or draw