One of the most intense rivalries in world football will take place at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, as Lazio face their fierce city rivals Roma in the first Derby della Capitale at 11:30 BST. Roma have gotten off to a better start in the opening three games of Serie A, but with so little separating these two sides, this promises to be another tight, fiery encounter.

Team form

Maurizio Sarri’s return to Lazio after a 14-month sabbatical hasn’t been plain sailing. The Biancocelesti have managed just one win so far, bouncing back from an opening 2-0 defeat to Cesc Fabregas’ Como with a 4-0 home thrashing of Verona, only to fall to a 1-0 loss at Sassuolo last week.

Consistency has been lacking for Sarri’s men in the early stages of the Serie A season, and that is a concern for Lazio fans going into the much-anticipated Derby della Capitale. 

Meanwhile, Roma have made a more solid start under Gian Piero Gasperini. Narrow 1-0 victories over Bologna and Pisa weren’t flattering but enough, though they were undone by Torino in a 1-0 defeat last weekend at the Olimpico. 

The experienced Gasperini will be desperate to win his first Derby della Capitale, and will see this as the perfect chance for his Roma side to regain that early momentum after last week’s defeat. 

Head-to-head

Recent Derby della Capitale clashes have been tight, with little between the sides. Across their last five Serie A meetings, Roma hold the slight edge with two wins to Lazio’s one, while two have ended level. Goals have been scarce. None of the last five encounters have produced more than two, and both teams have only scored in one of those matches (a 1-1 draw last season).

Team news

Lazio could be without right back Manuel Lazzari, who remains a doubt after a muscle strain in training before the Sassuolo defeat. He joins Samuel Gigot and Matías Vecino on the treatment table.

Roma’s issues are further up the pitch. New signing Leon Bailey, who is on loan from Aston Villa, is still recovering from an injury sustained in his training session with the club, and Paulo Dybala is a major absentee after suffering a strain against Torino last weekend. 

Key stats

• Valentín Castellanos has been Lazio’s standout player this season, scoring once and providing two assists in three games.

• Ireland striker Evan Ferguson has one assist in three games, but is still waiting for his first Roma goal after arriving on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer. 

• Roma have conceded just one goal across their first three Serie A fixtures.

• Both teams have scored in only one of the last five derbies.

• Each of the last five Derby della Capitale clashes have featured under 2.5 goals.

Prediction 

If history is any guide, goals will be at a premium in this derby. Roma’s stronger defensive record and slightly sharper start to the campaign could give them the edge in what is likely to be another tense and cagey battle at the Olimpico.