With the Scudetto set to be decided between Juventus and Napoli, the remaining sides in the top part of the table will be fighting to secure European football - if it is within their grasp. But for Lazio and Roma, this upcoming meeting will be more than just a win and three points. The two cross-town rivals will clash in the second Derby della Capitale on Sunday afternoon, but they might be playing in front of a vastly different Stadio Olimpico crowd than in prior matches.
Lazio
Stefano Pioli's men have been unable to establish any kind of positive momentum in domestic play so far this season. The Biancocelesti looked promising in the Europa League, where they were flying high until suffering a shock 3-0 reversal to Czech outfit Sparta Praha in the second leg of their round of 16 tie. Whilst there are still eight games - and 24 potential points - up for grabs, it does not look likely that Lazio will be featuring in European football next season.
That is, unless if they can start turning things around. And given that their upcoming match will be against their city rivals Roma, the Aquile will have a bit more extra incentive to start their mini-revival this Sunday. However, the Biancocelesti will be missing quite a few faces due to injuries and suspensions. Senad Lulic will be serving a ban. Ricardo Kishna, Stefan de Vrij, Stefan Radu, Santiago Gentiletti, Abdoulay Konko are all still on the treatment table. And both Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Dusan Basta will have to be evaluated to determine their availability.
In terms of head to head record, Lazio have not managed to get the better of Roma since May 26, 2013, when they defeated the Giallorossi in the Coppa Italia final, and their last Serie A win was on November 11, 2012. As expected, these derby meetings are a very tense affair, with red cards not being out of the ordinary; however, in the past four meetings, both teams have finished with all 11 men on the pitch.
Roma
As Roma prepare to take on a familiar opponent, there will be one question nagging Lupi fans: Will this be Francesco Totti's final derby? The iconic captain, who will turn 40 later this year, still feels he has what it takes to be a part of the team; his coach and the club's executive board, see things differently. Since Luciano Spalletti's return to the Italian capital, Totti has found his game-time even more limited as it is very clear that the ex-Zenit boss is moving the team in a very different direction.
With speedy attackers like Mohamed Salah and Stephan El Shaarawy at his disposal, there is unfortunately no room in the starting XI for Totti, who has spent his entire career with his beloved Roma. It will be interesting to see if he gets to play any part in Sunday's game, even for sentimental reasons as this season could very well be his last at the Stadio Olimpico.
Roma, who saw their excellent eight match winning streak snapped in a 1-1 draw with Inter before the international hiatus, will be hoping to complete a double over Lazio on Sunday. Unlike the Aquile, the Lupi have pretty much everyone fit and available for this game, with the exception of fringe players like Norbert Gyomber and Ezequiel Ponce, tipping the odds even more in their favor.
Curiously enough, Roma have scored exactly two goals in four out of their past five meetings with Lazio. Will they repeat this feat again on Sunday?
Which channel is broadcasting Lazio vs Roma on TV or Online?
Due to fan protests over some increased security measures - which could reportedly include fines for fans sitting in the wrong seat - the normally buzzing Stadio Olimpico may be unnaturally silent this Sunday. Still, a derby between these two sides is always one not to miss for Serie A fans, and LiveSoccerTV.com has put together some options to catch the game via TV, computer, phone, or tablet.
Here are some choices for fans residing in the following countries:
- In the USA at 9.00 EST on: RAI International, beIN Sports USA, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., fuboTV
- In Italy at 15.00 CET on: Lazio Style Channel, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, SKY Go Italia, PremiumSport 2 HD, Sky Calcio 1
- In the UK at 14.00 BST on: BT Sport Europe
- In Canada at 9.00 ET on: beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada, RAI International, beIN Sports Canada
Live elsewhere? Check out our special Lazio vs Roma broadcast page for viewing times and options for wherever you call home.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
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