Roma v Lazio - predictions? Red cards?

Here's what I wrote in my weekly betting preview about this game:

Over in Italy, the main spectacle of the weekend has to be the ‘Derby della Capitale’ between Roma and Lazio on Sunday afternoon.

Stadio Olimpico plays host to one of the fiercest rivalries in Europe where terraces and tempers flare alike.

Roma sit in second place after three games with a 100% start to the season. And despite the losses of Erik Lamela to Tottenham and Marquinhos to PSG they have re-strengthened with the likes of Adem Ljajic and Mehdi Benatia coming in not to mention the evergreen performances of stalwarts Francesco Totti and Daniele de Rossi.

Lazio have also started well enough this year, two wins from three and their only defeat coming at the hands of champions Juventus. With Miroslav Klose still poaching goals for the Aquilotti they are a force to be reckoned with on the counter attack.

In fact, this one is close to call, of the last six meetings between the sides, Lazio have won an impressive four games. But with this acting as the away fixture for Lazio (as both teams play at Stadio Olimpico) with less support in the hostile atmosphere, it could be a tighter game than previous meetings with the draw at 3.45 looking to be a good option.

But what really interests me is the ‘sending off’ odds of 2.52. Of the last 12 encounters between the sides there have been an incredible 14 red cards with the ‘sending off’ bet paying out in 9 of the 12 matches. On a heated derby day, you’d be brave to bet against it.

Interested to hear what everyone else thinks.

Cheers,
Evan

Twitter - @ev_bartlett