THE OLD FIRM ISN'T THE ONLY DERBY THIS WEEKEND

This weekend sees the third Rome derby of the season, kicking off at 7.30 (GMT) and live on British Eurosport. For those of you lucky enough to be in Rome , or going to be there at the weekend, tickets are still available. They are on sale from 10am today (Wednesday) until 12 noon on Saturday. They are available from the Roma stores in the Piazza Colonna no.360, Via Appia Nuova no.130, and Via Cola di Rienzo no 136. These will of course be amongst the Roma fans. Tickets are not on sale on the internet. There have been goals in the previous encounters, the first league game ending 2-2 and the Coppa Italia first leg resulting in a 2-1 win for Roma.

I think that defences may well be a crucial factor and Roma's is porous. Having conceded over thirty goals this season already, the biancocelesti will be confident of adding to that figure, and Roma's defensive woes.To complicate the issue though, Lazio are in Poland hoping to play their delayed second leg tie against Wisla Cracow. At the time of writing UEFA had said the game would go ahead but the referee will decide after he has a look at the pitch. Domestically, Roma followed up their thrashing of Valencia in the Mestalla with a 3-1 home win over Empoli. The giallorossi are now in the top half of the table and looking for a UEFA spot. Lazio continue to sit in the fouth Champions' League spot so there are other issues at stake in this game, not just the joy at beating your city rivals. Overall, since Capello took over at Roma, they have enjoyed a lot of success in the derby.

Totti is approaching his best again and one of Lazio's best players of the season, Dejan Stankovic struggling with injury. Tough game to predict but home advantage may tip it Roma's way, despite their poor defence. One thing to note will be the passion in the Olimpico. Juve -Inter was anaemic last week, mainly due to the Delle Alpi, but the eternal city will be a riot of noise and colour this weekend, especially if Capello's men prevail.

Good news for Juventus and Inter fans this week. The sorely missed Alessandro Del Piero will be on the bench for Juve's CL match against Deportivo and Nedved only suffered heavy bruising to his ribcage during the Inter game. He still had to spend a night in hospital though. Hernan Crespo has returned to training for Inter, the nerazzurri could do with some cheering up after their abject performance in the derby d'Italia last week. Zanetti and Toldo apologised to the fans but Moratti hit the nail on the head when he said they lacked character. Not for the first time do they stand accused of that allegation.

The Italian League will meet again on April 2nd. Up for discussion will be reducing the number of teams relegated each season to three, merging Serie B and C1, to favour the Southern teams, and a proposal to host Euro 2012. Italia 90 more or less kickstarted football's increased popularity and a major tournament in Italy is overdue. More news on these as it develops.

Can't end without a word on Rangers. It'll be tough but remember: Non mollare mai! In bocca al lupo contro i mendicanti.

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