After 5 straight losses, Roma’s 3-1 win at home to Chelsea in the Champions’ League last week may signal an upturn in form and in their last game, they were unfortunate not to win at Bologna(1-1), with the home side equalising in the last minute, thanks to an own goal from Cicinho.

Yet, apart from that surprising win against Chelsea, Roma have been outplayed by the best sides this season on a regular basis; they have had losses against top sides Inter (0-4), Juventus (0-2), Udinese (1-3) in the last month and their only league wins of this season have been against bottom-placed Reggina (3-0) and 11th place Atalanta (2-0).

Lazio go into the Rome derby in much stronger form with three wins on the trot and despite a shaky period a fortnight ago, they are in 5th place with 22 points from their 11 games so far.

They have scored the most goals in Serie A (21) and with wins over top 6 sides Fiorentina (3-0) and Sampdoria (2-0) this season, they have shown that they are a team to be reckoned with and should challenge for the European spots this term.

In each of their last 3 games, Lazio scored late with 4 of their 6 goals in those three wins coming in the last 10 minutes; they finish games strongly and they scored the final goal in both capital derbies last season.

Also, Roma have conceded the last goal in 6 of their last 7 games and though the Lazio win could be the option at a decent $3.50, it should be noted that 6 of the last 12 Rome derbies have ended in a draw and the fixed odds may be best avoided – Lazio to score the last goal in the game is offered at $2.30 from Bet365 and could be the option.

BETZINE UK TIP *****

Bet: Lazio to score the last goal Odds: $2.30 Stake: 5.5pts Bookies: Bet365

Match Betting Previews 15-16 November 2008 >>> Premiership: Arsenal v Aston Villa - Blackburn v Sunderland - Bolton v Liverpool - Fulham v Spurs - Man United v Stoke - Newcastle v Wigan - WBA v Chelsea - West Ham v Portsmouth - Everton v Middlesbrough - Hull v Man City La Liga: Valencia v Gijon - Atletico v Deportivo - Recreativo v Barcelona Serie A: Palermo v Inter - Milan v Chievo - Roma v Lazio Ligue 1: Lyon v Bordeaux - Rennes v Monaco Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Schalke - Hertha v Hamburg