Roma to rally v Lazio in Rome derby tipped to be Totti’s last

Holly Thackeray | April 2, 2016

Lazio v Roma

Totti to call time on capital clash?

In the last year of his contract with boyhood club Roma, amid rumours of retirement, Francesco Totti could be dusting off his boots for what may well be the 39-year-old’s final ever Rome derby, this time as part of the ‘away’ team on his beloved Stadio Olimpico stage versus bitter local rivals Lazio.

The Derby della Capitale in the modern era is synonymous with this Giallorossi legend – for his strikes, his selfies and his passion, but now his last capital clash as a player could occur as reports suggest fans from both sides will boycott the iconic Italian battle.

Still, skipper Totti, who has been dubbed everything from Il Gladiatore (The Gladiator) to Er Pupone (The Big Baby), can take heart from his part in Roma’s excellent record against the Eagles – six in succession without tasting defeat – which makes Luciano Spalletti’s revived Romans 23/20 favourites to triumph again with Coral.

As for talisman Totti, who is unsurprisingly Serie A’s all-time leading Rome derby scorer with 11, he may have been restricted to substitute appearances of bench-bound of late, but should find some minutes in his favoured fixture. So customers can back the Giallorossi goal gobbler, who famously bagged a brace against Lazio last term, at 11/2 for the final say.

Spalletti seeking to cement third spot, Lazio looking to spoil

In this derby duel between third and eighth in the Italian top-tier, Stefano Pioli’s side look to have little left but pride to play for, and are just 12/5 for victory after a rather disappointing term.

Though, the Eagles did force AC Milan into splitting the spoils last time out and will certainly be motivated to halt their local foes’ surge under returning hero Spalletti for that coveted third Champions League slot.

The side in sky blue have lost just one of their past four derbies as the designated home side, so are certainly capable at 23/10 of ensuring this traditionally feisty encounter ends evenly in the Eternal City. Though, the Giallorossi are on a run of nine league games without defeat, but have kept just two clean sheets from those, so may be best to back at 18/5 for victory and both teams score.

Derby dangermen to watch

So, aside from evergreen Totti, who else is an intriguing scoring shout for this Roman rumble? Rossoneri-owned Italy international Stephan El Shaarawy has set alight Serie A since arriving on loan at the Olimpico, with five goals and two assists in 10.

This makes the attacker of Egyptian descent a more than decent dabble at 9/2 to net first, alongside equally devastating Egypt winger Mohamed Salah (11/5 to find the target anytime) and apparent Premier League target Miralem Pjanic (12/5).

As for the Eagles, another veteran marksman in Miroslav Klose (12/5 to fire in anytime) could shine for the hosts, having dispatched a double in his last league start, while another on-loan AC Milan man in Alessandro Matri is 12/5 to make a difference anytime.

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Coral’s top tip: Roma at 18/5 to beat eternal rivals Lazio but both sides score!