Lazio Rome – AS Rome
The current league table makes Sunday’s Rome derby at the Stadio Olimpico particularly exciting: While AS Roma are in 7th place with six points, Lazio are struggling in 12th place with only three points after a difficult start to the season. The most recent encounter in April ended 1-1, but Roma lead the head-to-head record in the last five games with two wins to Lazio’s one. It is noteworthy that all five games had fewer than 2.5 goals, which underlines the tactical caution of both teams in these explosive encounters.
Both teams come into the derby on the back of defeats. Lazio lost 1-0 to Sassuolo, with Rovella having to be substituted due to injury. Roma also lost 0-1 to Torino and will continue to be without key players Dybala and Bailey due to injury. The betting market sees the derby as evenly matched, with a slight advantage for Roma. For both teams, the derby offers a chance to correct their fluctuating performances in the first few weeks. Maurizio Sarri is under particular pressure at Lazio, while Gasperini is looking to send out positive signals at Roma.
- Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- Date and time: September 21, 2025, 12:30 p.m.
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 4)
Lazio Rome form & record check
Lazio is currently going through a mixed phase with only one win from its last three league games. Its 12th place in the table with three points reflects its bumpy start to the season, even if the gap to the European places remains manageable.
The recent 0-1 defeat at Sassuolo highlighted their current difficulties. Maurizio Sarri’s team looked uninspired and couldn’t find a way past the defensive Emiliani. It was particularly bitter that Fadera scored from a rebound after a corner, as the Biancocelesti had hardly created any chances worth mentioning before that.
A clear pattern has emerged in recent games. Lazio have conceded goals in four of their last five games and have often failed to score in the first half. Only the 4-0 home win against Verona broke this streak and demonstrated the team’s potential.
The personnel situation further exacerbates the problems. With Rovella out due to pubic bone problems, the team is missing a key player in midfield. Added to this are the absences of Patric, Lazzari, and Gigot. Sarri has already complained about the busy schedule and the physical strain on his players. Despite the slump, Castellanos remains an important factor with his assists, while Dia stands out with his finishing quality.
Lazio are likely to line up in their usual 4-3-3 formation, even though coach Sarri has a few personnel problems to contend with. The absence of Rovella is particularly significant, as the midfielder had to be substituted against Sassuolo and is now out with pubic bone problems.
Guendouzi, Cataldi and Dele-Bashiru could form the midfield axis. Lazzari will also continue to be unavailable, which means Marusic seems set to start at right-back. In attack, Castellanos is expected to lead the line with Zaccagni on the wing, while Cancellieri is another option for the offense.
AS Roma Form & Record Check
AS Roma are currently in remarkably stable form, even if their recent defeat to Torino might suggest otherwise. With six points from three games and 7th place in the table, Gian Piero Gasperini’s team have made a solid start to the new season.
The 0-1 home defeat to Torino five days ago was a setback, but the context paints a different picture. Roma dominated for long periods but failed to convert their chances and were thwarted by a compact visiting defense. It was only their first defeat in their last five league games.
Roma had previously demonstrated their strength at home: the 1-0 win against Bologna at the start of the season was a hard-fought victory that gave a glimpse of the new tactical order under Gasperini. In the 1-0 away win in Pisa, the team then proved its efficiency on the road, even though the game remained evenly balanced for a long time.
Roma’s tendency to produce close results is striking. Four out of five games have ended with a one-goal difference, reflecting both defensive stability and a lack of firepower. The team keeps the game open at halftime in 80% of cases, but then usually decides the game in its favor in the second half.
In terms of personnel, the injury list is a cause for concern. With Dybala, Bailey, Hermoso, and Bove out, important pillars are missing, with Dybala’s absence in particular reducing creativity in attack. The Argentine’s return remains uncertain, forcing Gasperini to make tactical adjustments.
The Romans are likely to line up in their usual 3-4-1-2 formation, with Gasperini relying on tried and tested players. Svilar will be in goal, while the back three could consist of Mancini, Ndicka, and Ghilardi.
The personnel situation in attack is problematic: with Dybala (thigh injury) and Bailey (muscle injury) out, two important offensive options are missing. Hermoso is also out due to muscle fatigue, while Bove remains unavailable due to his heart problems.
In midfield, Pellegrini could play behind the striking duo of Soulé and Dovbyk. Wesley and Angeliño are likely to occupy the wing positions, while Cristante and Koné are expected to stabilize the central midfield. However, this lineup has not yet been confirmed and could change before kickoff.
H2H Lazio Rome – AS Rome Head-to-head comparison & statistics
The last five encounters between these city rivals show a clear pattern: Roma lead with two wins to Lazio’s one, with two draws. Both Roma wins came in away games at the Stadio Olimpico, while Lazio celebrated their only triumph in the 2024 Coppa Italia quarterfinals.
The most recent meeting in April 2025 ended 1-1, reflecting the typical pattern of these encounters. All five games have had fewer than 2.5 goals, suggesting defensively minded affairs. There is virtually nothing happening in the first halves, with three of the last five meetings goalless at the break.
Roma currently seem to have the upper hand in terms of head-to-head comparisons. The Giallorossi won both league matches last season, including a clear 2-0 victory in January 2025. Lazio, on the other hand, only managed to score in the cup, which shows that Roma currently have the upper hand in competitive matches.
The first tip for under 1.5 goals in the first half is based on a clear pattern: both Lazio and Roma have experienced a goalless or low-scoring first half in four of their last five league games. With Rovella and Dybala missing, two key players for early attacking play are also absent. The last three city derbies have seen only two goals before the break, underlining this cautious approach.
The second tip for a Roma win at odds of 2.55 seems entirely justified: the Giallorossi have won four of their last five games and appear well-organized under Gasperini; they have also recently proven their efficiency away from home. Lazio’s defense looks much more vulnerable with the absences of Patric and Gigot. The bookmakers see the game as very evenly matched, but the form curve clearly favors the visitors. The third tip for a draw at 3.30 takes into account the peculiarities of the derby: two of the last three direct duels ended goalless, and both teams tend to be cautious in important games. Roma’s defensive stability, with only one goal conceded in five games, meets Lazio’s tendency to lose by narrow margins, which could well result in another 0-0 or 1-1 draw.
