Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Hungary
Lithuania
Nigeria
South Korea
United Arab Emirates

Preview: Sassuolo vs. Lazio - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 13 January 2023, 16:11
Another lapse last weekend saw Lazio drop two more points in the race for a top four place, and they now seek a return to winning ways at Sassuolo on Sunday.

The Biancocelesti arrive at the Mapei Stadium having failed to win since the World Cup break, while their hosts have lost both Serie A fixtures so far this year.

Match preview

After an excellent spell in mid-Autumn, Lazio's season now lies in danger of being derailed by an unstable defence, which had previously proved itself among the best in Serie A this term.

A second-half slip-up at Lecce had seen Maurizio Sarri's men welcome Empoli to Stadio Olimpico on the back of successive defeats either side of the winter break, and even a two-goal lead earned by strikes from Felipe Anderson and Mattia Zaccagni did not prove enough to see off their Tuscan visitors.

Once again, the Biancocelesti frittered their advantage away, as Empoli struck twice within the last 10 minutes to restrict their hosts to a single point; leaving Lazio fifth after 17 rounds - one game shy of the season's halfway stage.

Seven of the 15 goals Sarri's side have shipped in Serie A all season have therefore come in their last three outings, and following defeats in their two most recent road trips, they stand in danger of losing three straight away matches for the first time since mid-2021.

Set to tackle Bologna at the Coppa Italia's last-16 stage next week, Lazio will want to put an end to their mid-season wobble as soon as possible - particularly with arch-rivals Roma having caught up with them of late.

Sunk by Sampdoria on their comeback to competitive action, Sassuolo came within a whisker of picking up their first point of 2023 in Florence last time out, but were ultimately undone at the last.

After Domenico Berardi had equalised from the spot against mid-table rivals Fiorentina, the Neroverdi may have even dreamt of snatching victory for the first time in six league games. However, Nicolas Gonzalez converted a stoppage-time penalty for the Viola, who then pulled seven points clear of their visitors in the standings.

In fact, Sassuolo's slip down the table saw them occupy a lowly 16th place after 17 games, and their current tally of 16 points is the second-lowest the Emilian club have posted at this stage of a Serie A season.

Head coach Alessio Dionisi - who lost several key players in the summer - is therefore under serious pressure to produce an improvement, as his side return to the Mapei Stadium this weekend.

Three of the Neroverdi's league victories this season have come on home soil, though, and having also have won their last two meetings with Lazio in Emilia-Romagna, recent precedent is at least on their side ahead of Sunday's early kickoff.

Sassuolo Serie A form:

L

L

D

L

L

L

Sassuolo form (all competitions):

L

D

L

L

L

L

Lazio Serie A form:

L

W

W

L

L

D

Lazio form (all competitions):

W

W

L

W

L

D

Team News

Maurizio Sarri is in the fortunate position of having no first-choice players injured, but Elseid Hysaj will most likely be called upon to replace Manuel Lazzari at right-back as the latter misses out through suspension.

Despite their late implosion against Empoli, the visitors are expected to name a similar starting XI on Sunday, with Luis Alberto and Matias Vecino contesting one spot in midfield.

Captain Ciro Immobile - who is just one goal away from equalling Kurt Hamrin (190) as the eighth-top scorer in Serie A history - has previously scored eight times against Sassuolo and leads the way for Lazio with eight goals and five assists this season.

By contrast with his opposite number, Alessio Dionisi has been dealt two bitter blows this week, as first-choice goalkeeper Andrea Consigli and star striker Andrea Pinamonti have both been ruled out by injury - potentially for the rest of the month.

Gianluca Pegolo will deputise for Consigli, while Agustin Alvarez is favourite to replace Pinamonti up front; French forward Gregoire Defrel provides another option.

In addition to their more recent absentees, Mert Muldur and Maxime Lopez are still sidelined for Sassuolo, but Domenico Berardi is available - the Italy international has scored nine Serie A goals versus Lazio, including six from the penalty spot.

Sassuolo possible starting lineup:

Pegolo; Toljan, Erlic, Ferrari, Rogerio; Frattesi, Henrique, Traore; Berardi, Alvarez, Lauriente

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Provedel; Hysaj, Casale, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni

We say: Sassuolo 1-2 Lazio

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Cyprus vs. San Marino (Friday, 5.00pm) Cyprus will be expecting to make a winning start to their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign when they kick off their Group H challenge at home to San Marino on Friday night. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Off the back of a first defeat of the season last time out, the Philadelphia Union will set out to secure an immediate return to winning ways when they welcome St Louis City to Subaru Park on Sunday. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal and Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo ahead of the summer transfer window. 21 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate was withdrawn at half time of France's 2-0 defeat against Croatia in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury concern after Riccardo Calafiori was forced off in Italy's 2-1 defeat against Germany on Thursday. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barnsley must win against visitors Cambridge United on Saturday at Oakwell in League One if they are to keep their slim promotion hopes alive. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Sweden will hope to use their friendly clash against hosts Luxembourg on Saturday at Stade de Luxembourg as preparation for the beginning of their World Cup qualifying campaign in September. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Dreaming of making a late push for the playoffs in League Two, Cheltenham Town are set to host MK Dons at Whaddon Road on Saturday. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal Women will welcome Liverpool Women to the Emirates Stadium for Saturday's Women's Super League encounter. 20 March 2025 talksport.com Rasmus Hojlund rubbed salt in the wounds after scoring against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal. 20 March 2025 talksport.com Thomas Tuchel will leave no stone unturned in his quest to win matches as he looks to be the man to guide England to their first trophy since 1966. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Mikel Merino came up with a last-gasp leveller as Spain fought back to draw 2-2 with 10-man Netherlands in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final in Rotterdam on Thursday night. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Joshua Kimmich provided two assists as Germany fought back from a goal down to claim a 2-1 victory over Italy in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League quarter-final at the San Siro. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Croatia emerged as 2-0 winners against France in the first leg of the sides' UEFA Nations League A quarter-final clash at Stadion Poljud on Thursday night. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Rasmus Hojlund proved the hero from the bench as his goal secured Denmark a crucial 1-0 win on Thursday, giving them the upper hand over Portugal ahead of their second-leg matchup in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. 20 March 2025 talksport.com John Obi Mikel suggested Eden Hazard had it in him to be as good as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi... if only he had tried in training! 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona centre-back Pau Cubarsi has been forced off the field in the first half of Spain's UEFA Nations League quarter-final first leg with Netherlands, and he could now be set for a spell on the sidelines. 20 March 2025 talksport.com Sir Alex Ferguson pleaded with John Obi Mikel to join Manchester United in a tense, privately held meeting. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly battling Real Madrid for the signature of Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Ansu Fati is reportedly set to leave Barcelona on a permanent basis during this summer's transfer window. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace Women will attempt to claim back-to-back victories when they travel to Walton Hall Park for Saturday's Women's Super League clash against Everton Women. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Czech Republic kick-start their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with a Group L fixture against Faroe Islands at Malsovicka Arena in Hradec Kralove on Saturday night. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Montenegro welcome Gibraltar to Gradski Stadion in Niksic for their opening Group L fixture in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Saturday evening. 20 March 2025 talksport.com Thomas Tuchel reiterated his eagerness to see England play exciting football after suggesting they played like they were 'afraid' at Euro 2024. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Antonio Rudiger has said that he has no plans to leave Real Madrid, but the centre-back has refused to rule out the prospect of returning to Italian football before the end of his career. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City attacker Jack Grealish is reportedly open to joining Newcastle United in the summer transfer window. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal midfielder Jorginho has responded to rumours that he could be on the way to Brazilian giants Flamengo when his Gunners contract expires in June. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin has acknowledged that he is aware of reported interest from Manchester City. 20 March 2025 talksport.com England are entering a new era which Thomas Tuchel hopes will be summed up in one word: Excitement. 20 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez ahead of the summer transfer window.