Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini knows Lazio will be out to ruin his team's Champions League ambitions in the Derby della Capitale.

Sunday's clash will see the rivals go head-to-head with much more on the line for Roma than Lazio.

While Lazio sit ninth in Serie A, Roma are embroiled in a congested tussle for Champions League qualification.

A victory for Roma would see them take a big step towards a top-four finish, ahead of them facing relegated Hellas Verona on the final day.

"Lazio is an excellent team and their ambition now is to ruin our run," said Gasperini, whose team have won three straight league games.

"We have stronger ambitions. But the derby is always difficult to play for everyone."

Gasperini was also asked about the presence of Ryan Friedkin, the son of Roma's owner, Dan Friedkin.

"Theie presence is fundamental, when they are here everything works better," he said.

"There are less people reporting things back, more direct relationships without intermediaries who distort opinions. Decisions are faster.

"I hope Ryan can build a knowledge of this squad and these players beyond the speed he already has with agents and negotiations. The ownership here will be able to observe that better."

Meanwhile, talks between Roma and Paulo Dybala over a new contract are continuing.

"It is positive that both sides want it," Gasperini said of Dybala's situation. "The solution will be found."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Roma - Donyell Malen

Malen has scored 13 goals in 16 Serie A games this season, with six at home and seven away.

Since his arrival at Roma, among players with 10+ goals in Europe's top five leagues, only Harry Kane has played fewer matches than the Dutchman.

Lazio - Pedro

Pedro has made 185 appearances in Serie A, all after turning 33 years old. In the last 20 years, among outfield players, only Javier Zanetti, Fabio Quagliarella, Francesco Totti and Antonio Di Natale have played more games in the competition after surpassing this age.

The forward could match Di Natale's 187 appearances by playing in the last two matchdays of this Serie A season.

MATCH PREDICTION: ROMA WIN

Roma have won three of their last four matches (D1) against Lazio in all competitions, as many victories as they had recorded in their previous 13 encounters (D4 L6).

Furthermore, in this run the Giallorossi have conceded just one goal (in a 1-1 draw on 13 April 2025), keeping a clean sheet in the other three games.

Gasperini won his first Derby della Capitale, 1-0. Only six coaches in Roma's history have won their first two matches against Lazio in all competitions, with Claudio Ranieri being the only one to do so in the last 50 years (between 2009 and 2010).

Roma have conceded just one goal in their last five home matches against Lazio in all competitions, keeping four clean sheets (including the two most recent), as many as they had in their previous 13 such matches; the Giallorossi have not registered three consecutive home clean sheets against them since between 2003 and 2005.

Gasperini's team are unbeaten in their last 11 Serie A home matches (W8 D3). During this period, they have kept seven clean sheets, more than any other side in division.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Roma - 60.1%

Draw - 21.6%

Lazio - 18.3%