Hello Calcio fans and welcome to a marquee occasion in the Italian football calendar. Roma and Lazio lock horns in the Derby della Capitale tonight, in a fixture that always promises passion, intensity and incidents galore.

Both sides enter this evening's clash on the back of results they would rather quickly forget. Lazio slipped to a controversial 2-0 defeat at Fenerbahce last Thursday to leave their Europa League hopes in tatters. Roma were also humbled in their most recent match, a disappointing defeat to lowly Palermo.

Roma are marginal favourites with the bookies, perhaps primarily to Lazio's heavy fixture list. Vladimir Petkovic's side continue to fight on three fronts and with a small squad the strain of playing every three days is starting to show. After challenging for the top spot before Christmas they now risk missing out on the top five altogether if they don't pick up a positive result tonight.

After a poor run of form cost Zdenek Zeman his job Roma have shown signs of improved form under new coach Aurelio Andrezzoli. A slightly more conservative approach has yielded positive results on the whole, but a shocking display at Palermo last weekend has raised alarms about his long-term future as boss. Andreazzoli is in charge of a Rome derby for the first time tonight, with all eyes on his side's performance at the Olimpico.

Just to add another layer of importance to tonight's derby, a defeat for either side will make their hopes of European qualification look very slim indeed. Inter Milan and Fiorentina both dropped points in the places directly above Lazio and Roma yesterday, as the fight for a top-five finish heats up. A victory tonight would move Lazio into fourth, while Roma would go above their city rivals to sixth with three points this evening. The pressure is on!

Ill discipline is a common theme in the Rome derby, so a strong referee tonight is absolutely essential. There have been 14 red cards in the last nine matches between Roma and Lazio, with two dismissals marring a heated clash between the two teams earlier this season. Lazio ran out 3-2 winners that day and have won the last three Derby della Capitale's in succession.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS: Word has just reached us that veteran striker Miroslav Klose will lead the line for Lazio tonight in his first start since January. The German talisman has finally recovered from a leg injury to give his side a huge boost ahead of tonight's clash. A full look at both starting XI's will follow in just a few moments.

LAZIO! Marchetti, Gonzalez, Biava, Cana, Radu, Ledesma, Candreva, Onazi, Hernanes, Lulic, Klose

ROMA! Stekelenburg, Torosidis, Marquinhos, Castan, Marquinho, Bradley, De Rossi, Florenzi, Pjanic, Lamela, Totti

Roma boss Andreazzoli has made a big call tonight, with Pablo Daniel Osvaldo out of his starting XI through suspension. Francesco Totti will lead the line a withdrawn central role, supported by Erik Lamela and Alessandro Florenzi.

Michael Bradley and Miralem Pjanic also return in midfield, with veteran Simone Perotta having to settle for a place on the bench. Ivan Piris is banned so Torosidis will drop into defence, with Daniele De Rossi protecting the back four in midfield.

Lazio boss Petkovic faced a big dilemma this evening, with the Europa League decider against Fenerbahce just three days away. Ogenyi Onazi keeps his place in central midfield, despite getting sent off in Turkey last week. Klose's inclusion is a huge surprise, while Cristian Ledesma is back in the starting XI ahead of Ederson in a more conservative formation.

Lorik Cana keeps his place in central defence for Lazio, with Michael Ciani missing out and Andre Dias still on the sidelines. With Roma committing numbers forward with alarming regularity defensive discipline will be the order of the day for Petkovic's men tonight!

Both sides are chasing a record in the derby tonight, with Lazio aiming to match their best-ever run of four successive victories in the Eternal City clash. Roma foward Totti is aiming to join former strike partner Marco Delvecchio as his side's leading scorer against their fierce rivals.

Tonight's result will without question have a huge bearing on whether Andreazzoli gets the Roma job permanently. The 59-year-old has brought balance to the side and revived their European challenge, but form goes right out of the window tonight, with pride and passion the order of the day.

Roma forward Erik Lamela is player worth watching tonight, a wonderful talent often frustrated by inconsistent tendencies. In the heated environment of a capital derby his ability to break with pace and purpose could prove vital.

We are just under 10 minutes from kickoff at the Olimpico, which looks simply breathtaking this evening. Technically tonight is a home match for Roma, which means their red banners feature prominently in three quarters of the stadium.

I spoke earlier of the need to keep a cool head and on that note the spotlight will definitely be on Daniele De Rossi tonight. He received a straight red card in the last derby for punching Lazio skipper Mauri in the penalty area. That moment effectively cost his side any chance of victory and inflicted a third-straight derby defeat on his side. Can Roma respond and restore bragging rights in the Eternal City this evening?

A quick word from Andreazzoli ahead of the 139th Rome derby, with the coach insisting that this clash means so much more than three points for his improving side.

He told reporters at his pre-match press conference: "It is a great privilege for me to be here for the Rome derby and I want to enjoy it all the way. The fact Lazio have won the last three derbies could weigh on us, but we have to focus only on this match.

"It will be decisive to keep our cool, especially as there were so many red cards in recent meetings with Lazio. Obviously winning against Palermo would have allowed us to go into this game with three more points and the confidence that had been building in recent weeks.

"The derby is worth three points, but also so much more than that. We need to use the ability to suffer under pressure and turn that pressure into positive energy."

PREDICTION! Tonight's clash is a tough one to call, with derbies difficult to call and the added factor of Lazio's Europa League excursions. With Roma so desperate to restore pride I'll back them to just edge a tight 2-1 clash and climb above their local rivals in Serie A.

There is definitely at least 50,000 fans inside the Olimpico as Roma sing their club anthem loudly to greet the arrival of the two sides. Totti leads his side out under enormous pressure to guide his side to first derby success since 2011.

Paolo Mazzoleni has the unenviable task of refereeing his dirst derbt tonight, as Totti and Ledesma share muted pleasantries during the coin toss. The Lazio skipper has been sent off three times in Rome derbies on his own.

An incredible noise greets Lazio as they get the clash underway. Almost immediately Klose fouls De Rossi as he chases a long ball forward. Roma have lined up in a diamond formation, with Pjanic tucked in behind Totti and Lamela.

Marquinho drives down the wing and gets some space to pick out a cross in the early exchanges. His low pass meets Totti, but for once the veteran's first touch deserts him and allows Biava to clear. Roma are quickly back in possession as Totti whips a pass into Lamea, but Biava is quickly across to make a second interception.

Hernanes wins a free kick after being brought down by Bradley, but Onazi's drive from distance flies harmlessly over the crossbar. Roma are back in possession and stride forward, but Torosidis is penalised for a late tackle and gifts Lazio a second set-piece in as many minutes.

Lamela wants a foul just outside the penalty area after clashing with Radu, but the referee waves away his protests. Roma look the more comfortable in possession in the opening stages, with the visitors happy to sit deep and wait to hit Klose long on the counter.

Candreva whips a low cross in early but Stekelenburg reads the danger to make a routine catch. At the other end Pjanic comes within inches of meeting a clever clip inside from Totti, which took out two static Lazio defenders. Marchetti scoops away the danger but Roma definitely look capable of unlocking their rivals with clever movement in the final third.

Lazio have numbers forward as Klose switches the play to Lulic, who has time and space to pick out a precise cross. His delivery is well below par and lets Roma off the hook as De Rossi easily guides back to Stekelenburg.

SAVE! Stekelenburg is forced to make his first meaningful stop of the match as Candreva hammers a swerving drive towards goal from a tight angle. His tip round the post hands Lazio a corner, which Castan clears at the second time of asking.

CHANCE! A long ball on the counter provides Roma with their best moment of the match so far. Lamela did well to control and had Pjanic screaming for a cutback in the penalty area, but a last-ditch interception from Gonzalez sends the ball clear of danger.

First blood to Lazio thanks to a sensational strike from range by Hernanes. The Brazilian meets a brilliant forward burst from Lulic and is invited to shoot by De Rossi, who backs off from 30 yards. Hernanes takes the chance and screams a powerful drive into the top corner to leave Stekelenburg well beaten. What a moment for the playmaker, who has been far from his best in recent weeks!

Lazio are straight back on the attack and want a penalty for a handball against Marquinhos. The referee only gives a corner kick, much to the fury of at least four Lazio players who are close by and convinced the ball struck his arm. Roma are rocking as Hernanes finds Lulic, who has a low strike at the near post turned wide by Stekenlburg.

Candreva sweeps a cross to Cana, who is unmarked in the penalty area but only able to scuff a tame strike safely through to Stekelenburg. The Roma keeper has been very busy early on, with Roma struggling to defend or control possession in midfield. Andreazzoli looks concerned on the touchline and rightly so, with De Rossi seemingly struggling with an injury complaint.

Onazi and Florenzi fly into a 50-50 challenge in central midfield with studs high, but the referee decides not to use his cards on this occasion. Mazzoleni is definitely making a conscious effort not to book anyone early on, which is probably wise given this fixture's history of red cards.

Cana is next to test Mazzoleni's patience with a needless lunge into the back of Totti. Roma send men forward for the free kick, but Klose is back to head clear. Torosidis picks up from 30 yards and has time and space, but elects to shoot and sends a wayward effort well over the target from range.

Bradley follows an early pattern of silly fouls by flying into Lulic without winning the ball. Candreva wins the battle to take an inviting free kick from 30 yards and hits a dipping drive just over the crossbar.

Roma are trying too hard to force the final pass on the break. Lamela has pace but with Totti deep the Argentine looks isolated and needs support through sustained possession. Mattia Destro is back from injury on the bench tonight and may be needed sooner rather than later. Meanwhile Pjanic hits the byline and finds Florenzi, who takes a difficult volley first time that flies over the crossbar.

YELLOW CARD! In the build-up to Florenzi's shot Radu sent a flying knee in the chest of Torosidis, which the referee rewards with a merited caution. At the other end Klose strays fractionally offside from a Hernanes flick to let Roma off the hook as the veteran raced towards goal. End-to-end action in the last few minutes as the match begins to get stretched.

Onazi brings down Florenzi to interrupt a sustained spell of deep Roma possession. Totti curls the free kick into a packed penalty area, but Marchetti claims under pressure after a poor backwards header from Ledesma. Andreazzoli's side are pressing high up the pitch in search of an equaliser, but concede a silly free kick as Lamela backs into his marker with a stray elbow.

Pjanic shows neat feet in possession as Roma build a concerted spell of pressure. Castan attempts to pick out the midfielder as he peels off towards the far post, but his pass just has too much power and allows Lazio to clear with distance.

Onazi has stayed down after clashing with Castan, who definitely left his studs planted in the midfielder's chest. He needs medical attention and we have a short break before Roma take a corner through Totti. Eventually the cross goes in but Lazio are awarded a free kick for handball at the near post.

Roma have upped the pace a notch but a terrible decision from Pjanic to shoot from range undermines some encouraging signs in the last few minutes. The home side quickly regain possession as Bradley finds Lamela with a long diagonal pass. His cutback is cleared by Onazi, who has recovered to retake his place in defensive midfield.

YELLOW CARD! De Rossi is cautioned for a poor challenge on Klose. His studs were showing in that tackle from behind and the midfielder is a touch fortunate to get away with a booking on that occasion. The late lunge is even more astonishing considering his poor recent disciplinary record in this match. You expect more from a player of his experience in that situation.

Lazio venture forward through Luclic, who lays off to Candreva just outside the box. He takes the chance to shoot under little pressure, but smashes well wide of the far corner with a low effort struck with plenty of power.

SHOT! Totti finishes the opening period by testing Marchetti with a dipping volley from distance. The Lazio keeper has time to watch the flight of a dipping strike and punches clear with save for the cameras.

Roma had more possession in that first half but the deadlock has been broken at the Olimpico by a truly memorable strike from Hernanes. The Brazilian's stunning shot had pace and power in equal measure to fly in from 30 yards. With Lazio dogged in defence Andreazzoli faces a huge task to get his side back into the match.

Andreazzoli must be considering changes at the break, with his side largely failing to test Marchetti or bring Lamela and Totti into the match. Destro, Perotta and Tachtsidis are all positive options that could help shake things up for Roma in the second half.

Lazio are now just 45 minutes away from a fourth-successive win in the Rome derby, which would equal a record dating back to their legendary side of the early 1970's. Discipline and concentration will the key now for the visitors, qualities that Petkovic always instills in his organised sides.

Hernanes and Klose have carried a constant threat for Lazio so far tonight, while Candreva and Lulic have been full of running from midfield. Klose will surely not be able to last the 90 minute afte recently returning from injury, so expect to see either Libor Kozak or Louis Saha after the interval.

It must be said that referee Mazzoleni was largely excellent in the first 45 minutes, refusing the temptation to dish out yellow cards in the early stages. De Rossi and Radu are the only men on a caution as it stands, with the Roma midfielder perhaps a little lucky to still be on the pitch after flying into Klose and getting no contact on the ball.

Both sides have emerged for the second half, can Roma overturn a narrow deficit and avoid a humiliating fourth-straight defeat to Lazio. Totti, Lamela and Pjanic need to have a much better second period for the hosts after an ineffective start.

Roma get the second half underway and almost instantly concede possession, with Lulic following suit to send a sloppy pass inside. Totti takes advantage to find Florenzi, but his dart inside is ready by two Lazio defenders. Andreazzoli has resisted the temptation to make changes at the break, which is certainly a surprise give his side's dismal first period.

PENALTY TO LAZIO! Hernanes picks up a short Marquinhos clearance and finds Onazi, who switches wide for Gonzalez to cross into the penalty area. Castan clears for Roma, but Lulic is next on the scene and bursts into the box. His cross strikes the hand of Marquinhos and Lazio have a penalty!

MISS! Quite unbelievably Hernanes has sent the penalty well wide. His stuttering run-up looked nervy, with a curling finish sending Stekelenburh the wrong way but falling well wide of the far corner. What a chance missed for Lazio, can Roma use that as a catalyst to respond in the second half after a a major let-off?

YELLOW CARD! Totti sends a shocking pass inside to a Blue shirt, but Lulic is slow to react and eventually brings down Torosidis from behind.

SUBSTITUTION: De Rossi is clearly in pain and eventually gets replaced by Mattia Destro, with the forward coming on to take up an advanced position in the final third. His introduction will see Bradley drop deep and force a change in formation for the home side.

Klose flashes wide with a header for Lazio, before Destro has his first involvement at the other end to win a free kick. Torosidis takes and sends a curling cross towards the far post, but his delivery has too much power and heads wide of its intended target.

PENALTY TO ROMA! Incredible scenes at the Olimpico as Hernanes concedes a penalty less than 10 minutes after missing one at the other end. His clumsy tackle brings down Pjanic and gives the referee no choice but to award a second spot kick.

Totti gets the equaliser after sending a brilliant penalty right into the bottom to avoid Marchetti's dive. Roma are now right back in the match and a topsy-turvy clash has turned once again thanks to a moment of madness from Hernanes. This match could now go either way as both sides look to gain control of a frenetic encounter.

SUBSTITUTION: Klose looks tired and comes off for the fresh legs of Kozak. Almost instantly before the change Lazio had a strike at goal, with Lulic flashing a forceful volley just wide of the near post. Cool heads have gone out of the window now as both teams chase the winning goal in a daunting Olimpico atmosphere.

YELLOW CARDS! Lamela, Cana and Biava both get booked in the space of two minutes as the derby heats up. Lamela and Cana picked up cautions after fighting to retrieve the ball from Totti's successful penalty, while Biava is booked for a cynical block tackle. Meanwhile Roma charge forward and should be ahead through Florenzi, who spurned a golden chance after hitting straight at Marchetti from close range. There is barely time to take a breath here in a terrific second half.

Kozak chases a lost cause and forces Marquinhos to concede a throw deep in his own half. Lazio use the chance to keep possession and switch to Candreva, who has a curling cross towards the near post turned behind by Castan.

RED CARD! Both sides are leaving space all over the pitch as we head into the final minutes. Biava has received a second yellow card for a frankly pathetic challenge on Marquinho. The defender had no chance of winning the ball and leaves Roma with a great chance to end their barren derby run. That is the eighth red card in just five derby matches.

SUBSTITUTION: Lazio immediately bring on Michael Ciani to fill a gaping hole in central defence left by Biava. Ledesma is the player withdrawn, which comes as a slight surprise given the captain's experience.

SUBSTITUTION: Roma respond by bringing on Dodo in place of Florenzi. Normally a full-back, his introduction probably means that Maqruinhos will push further forward and look to stretch the match.

Tempers are beginning to flare at the Olimpico as Gonzalez brings down Totti with a forceful barge in the back. Roma are pushing forward as Destro finds Lamela, who goes down in the penalty area under a challenge from Radu. Lazio are extremely fortunate to escape on that occassion, with Lamela definitely brought down by Radu without making contact with ball.

Lazio break thanks to a terrific run out wide by Candreva. He beats Dodo before crossing to the near post, where Kozak is forced wide by Castan. The defender does just enough to clear but there is a warning sign for Roma that the visitors are still capable of attacking on the counter.

MISS! Lamela has somehow managed to head over from just two yards under no pressure, that is a quite remarkable miss. The Argentine lost Lulic at the far post but seemed nervous of crashing into the woodwork and fired over from virtually under the crossbar. What a chance missed for the home side.

YELLOW CARD! Pjanic is the latest player to be booked for a late tackle as the bookings begin to tot up. Lazio use the free kick to counter through Hernanes, who is clever enough to see Bradley charging in his direction to win a set piece just over 35 yards from goal. Candreva decides to shoot but sends an ambitious strike well wide of the target.

Torosidis gives away possession cheaply in the final third and not for the first time tonight. Lazio are proving effective on the counter as Hernanes spreads wide to Lulic. Bradley wins the ball back deep in his own half, with Pjanic striding forward to find Dodo out wide. He takes a quick throw towards Totti, but Cana reads the danger and smashes clear with authority.

Dodo wins a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area after Cana mistimed his sliding block to follow through and bring down the youngster. Totti hits the ball towards the bottom corner via the aid of of a deflection, but Marchetti is down at his near post quickly to make strong save.

SUBSTITUTION: Lazio have dropped to defend very deep, inviting Roma to attack in numbers in the final few minutes. Torosidis and Pjanic combine on the far side but a poor final pass into the penalty area lets the visitors off the hook. Lamela is then penalised for a handball, with Radu staying down after appearing tussling with the playmaker. Lazio use the delay to bring Radu off and introduce the towering presence of Stankevicus.

YELLOW CARD! Bradley gives away possession in his own half to Candreva, who does well to force a foul from Castan after knocking in-behind the defender. Ciani flicks a curling free kick on towards the far post, but Roma have enough bodies back to clear a dangerous situation.

Deep into stoppage time Torosidis crosses into the area, but a tame header from Destro is easily gathered by Marchetti. Lazio counter again through Kozak, who finds Candreva to win a corner kick on the far side. His delivery comes clear to Lulic, who runs into trouble and concedes a free kick.

Both sides are forced to settle for a draw, which in the end is probably a fair result after a match featuring very different halves. Neither team will be particularly pleased with a point, with ground lost on Inter Milan and Fiorentina in the race for European qualification.

That just about does it for Sports Mole's coverage of a frantic Rome derby, played with spirit and drive by both sets of players. Goodnight!