AS Roma is enduring a tough season, struggling to find consistency after falling out of contention for the league title.
Their Champions League aspirations are also slipping away, with Lazio firmly holding fourth place and maintaining a 15-point advantage. Following a strong finish last season, expectations were high for Roma, but their performances this year have been underwhelming.
Despite securing an emphatic 5-0 victory over Parma and earning a draw against AC Milan after the holiday break, the team’s inconsistency remains a significant issue. However, they have advanced to the Round of 16 in the Italian Cup with a 4-1 win against Sampdoria and are still active in the Europa League, ensuring their season retains some promise across multiple fronts.
Lazio, on the other hand, is enjoying a highly successful campaign and currently sits fourth in the standings, with a strong chance of earning a Champions League spot. The team has been in excellent form, led by standout performances from players like Pedro, Castellanos, and Guendouzi.
December was particularly fruitful for Lazio, as they defeated Napoli twice in both Serie A and the Italian Cup, secured a 3-1 victory over Ajax in the Europa League, and recently edged Lecce 2-1 in the league. Although their latest match ended in a draw against Atalanta due to a late equalizer, Lazio’s momentum positions them well for the remainder of the season.
Roma’s squad remains in good shape overall, with Cristante being the only notable absence due to injury. Key players such as Dybala, Paredes, Angelino, Hummels, Ndicka, and Koné are all fit and available for selection.
Lazio, however, will be without several important players, including Vecino, Pedro, Noslin, and Lazzari. Despite these absences, the team can still rely on contributions from Castellanos, Guendouzi, Gigot, and Tchaouna, maintaining their competitive edge.
Prediction
Recent trends suggest that this match is likely to be a low-scoring affair. Roma has seen fewer than 3.5 goals in 19 of their last 20 league games, while Lazio has experienced a similar pattern in 17 of their last 20 away matches in Serie A. Given these statistics, it would be surprising if this game deviates from that pattern.
The prediction for this closely contested match is a 1-1 draw, reflecting the cautious approach and defensive tendencies both teams have displayed recently.
