No Lazio player has committed more fouls than Nicolo Rovella’s 47, working out at an impressive rate of 1.49 per 90 minutes across all competitions. His fouls generally encompass a wide range of different scenarios, including reckless lunging challenges, but also some more astute tactical fouls.

The Italian midfielder has sinned at least twice on 16 separate occasions, having started 32 games this season. Unsurprisingly, the most he managed in one game came in the reverse fixture, when he sinned four times against Roma. 

He’s likely to face the same matchup on Sunday, coming head-to-head with Kone, who has averaged 2.92 fouls drawn per 90 in Serie A. The Frenchman won a remarkable seven fouls in the last Derby della Capitale, which is typically a fiery affair, as we will detail further in later selections.

With Lazio’s frontline facing relatively persistent rotation, Isaksen has emerged as their most consistent shooting option, averaging 2.41 per 90 minutes.

The versatile winger has fired off at least two shots in 15 of his last 21 appearances for Lazio across all competitions, spanning 45 minutes or longer. That’s despite lasting the full 90 in only four of those matches.

Roma have conceded an average of 11.4 shots per 90 minutes in Serie A, although this figure has significantly increased across their last four matches, over which period they’ve allowed their opponents an average of over 15 per game.

Roma come into this clash in outstanding form, having remained unbeaten across each of their last 15 Serie A clashes, recording 11 wins and four draws over that period. Their draw with Juventus last time out ended an impressive seven-game winning streak.

That’s in stark contrast to Lazio, who have recorded just three wins in their last 11 matches across all competitions. In midweek, Marco Baroni’s men fell to an embarrassing 2-0 defeat against Bodo/Glimt, a game in which they were dominated.

The recent head-to-head form doesn’t favour Lazio either, with each of the last two meetings between these sides going the way of Roma. Lazio failed to find a way onto the scoresheet on both occasions.

Kone has averaged 1.32 shots per 90 minutes in Serie A and is excellent value to fire off at least one in the derby, which is typically a fast-paced and action-packed affair.

He’s had a crack at least once in six of his most recent seven games, only failing to do so in Roma’s uneventful draw against Juventus. He tested the keeper in his last clash with Lazio earlier in the season and has turned up consistently in Roma’s big matches this year.

Lazio have conceded an average of 10.4 shots per 90 minutes this season, which should encourage Kone ahead of the derby. Given their downturn in form, this could be a nervy outing for Lazio, and Kone should have ample opportunity to have at least one attempt.

Lazio have averaged 5.84 corners per 90 minutes in Serie A this season, topped only by the two Milan clubs. They’ve won at least five corners in 68% of their matches during their campaign, with this rate seemingly unaffected by whether they play at home or away. 

This selection has come home in 10 of their most recent 13 in the league, with the Aquilotti falling just short by accumulating four in two of the anomalies. Interestingly, this streak began when Lazio won a remarkable 10 corners in the reverse fixture against Roma.

Roma have conceded five or more corners in over a third of their league games this season.

Roma’s matches have typically been low-scoring this season, which is in keeping with Claudio Ranieri’s management style. Since the start of the season, their games have produced an average of 2.48 goals, with 73% seeing the net ripple on fewer than three occasions.

Lazio’s games have been slightly more exciting, although this has declined in recent matches alongside their form, with this selection coming home five of their most recent six across all competitions. They’ve scored just four goals over that period, and with Roma the team in form, it’s likely they’ll be able to exert the majority of the influence and dictate the game as they desire.

Amongst players in Serie A, only Armando Izzo of Monza can top Rovella’s record of 11 yellow cards, having accumulated the bookings over just 26 league games. The midfielder has also picked up a further three yellows and one red in the Europa League.

Additionally, the last four league clashes between Lazio and Roma have seen a remarkable 32 yellow cards and four red cards, with Rovella himself booked in the reverse fixture.

As mentioned, his opponent on that day drew seven fouls during the 90, and unfortunately for Rovella, the same task will be required of him on Sunday as he attempts to contain Manu Kone, who’s averaged 2.92 fouls drawn per 90 in Serie A.