Laziovs.Monza

Having bounced back from successive defeats by winning earlier this week, the Biancocelesti expect to collect three more points against opponents that seem bound for Serie B.

Match preview

A goal in either half - one scored by captain Mattia Zaccagni, the other coming from top scorer Taty Castellanos - proved enough for Lazio to secure victory in Cagliari on Monday evening.

Therefore, the Rome club have won two of their last three league games, which as many wins as they had managed throughout the previous seven.

During that downturn, Marco Baroni's men also lost their final league-phase fixture in the Europa League, though they still topped the table, in addition to reaching the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.

However, Lazio have failed to win any of their last four top-flight home games, after previously posting five consecutive victories as hosts in Serie A, so Baroni will demand an end to that run on Sunday.

The last time they went five without a league win at Stadio Olimpico was back in 2016 - and given the sorry state of this week's visitors, only maximum points will do.

Unbeaten in five Serie A meetings with Monza to date, the Biancocelesti are some 29 points ahead of their next opponents in the standings.

Zaccagni scored Lazio's winner in November's reverse fixture - a 1-0 home defeat for Monza - and the Brianzoli will be up against steep odds when the clubs reconvene in Italy's capital city.

Salvatore Bocchetti's side languish at the foot of the table with a tally of just 13 points so far, leaving them eight adrift of safety.

Since the start of December, Monza have lost eight of nine games: across Europe's top five leagues only Southampton have been beaten more times during that period.

Last time out, they came away empty-handed from a vital clash with fellow strugglers Hellas Verona, as January signing Stefan Lekovic scored the own goal that ultimately decided a tense contest.

Close to being cut adrift from the cluster of relegation battlers above them, the Biancorossi's board acquired several fresh faces during the winter transfer window - albeit several key men departed.

Before heading to Rome, Monza have taken nothing from their last four away fixtures - their longest such streak since finally arriving the top flight - and even one point would be a huge bonus this weekend.

Lazio Serie A form:

D

L

D

W

L

W

Lazio form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

L

W

Monza Serie A form:

L

L

W

L

L

L

Team News

Lazio's selection dilemma at full-back could be resolved by the timely returns of Manuel Lazzari and Nuno Tavares, both of whom have recently rejoined full training - though it remains to be seen whether Marco Baroni will pitch them straight back into the starting XI.

Having omitted Luca Pellegrini from his updated Serie A squad list, before seeing Elseid Hysaj struck down by a thigh injury, Baroni's only alternative is Adam Marusic, who can cover on either flank.

Patric and Matias Vecino join Hysaj on the treatment table, but new arrivals Arijon Ibrahimovic, Reda Belahyane and Oliver Provstgaard should be named on the bench.

Meanwhile, Monza were even busier in the transfer market than their hosts, but much of that traffic went through the exit: Warren Bondo joined AC Milan, Daniel Maldini has been signed by Atalanta BC, and Spanish centre-back Pablo Mari was snapped up by Fiorentina.

Strikers Milan Djuric and Mirko Maric also departed, leaving Dany Mota and new boy Silvere Ganvoula to carry the can up front. Mota has failed to find the net in any of his last 12 league games, after scoring four goals in the previous four.

Lazio loanee Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro is a major doubt for Sunday, potentially joining captain Matteo Pessina, Roberto Gagliardini, Luca Caldirola, first-choice goalkeeper Stefano Turati and several others on the sidelines.

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos

Monza possible starting lineup:

Pizzignacco; Lekovic, Izzo, Palacios; Pereira, Urbanski, Bianco, Kyriakopoulos; Ciurria, Mota; Ganvoula

We say: Lazio 3-0 Monza

Lazio can end a rare Stadio Olimpico slump with victory this weekend, when their opponents will turn up more in hope than expectation.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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