Two teams with opposite form trajectories meet at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday at 17:00 GMT, when in-form Lazio battle with slagging Fiorentina.
Third-placed Lazio, fresh from beating AC Milan 4-0, will be looking to continue their upward trend in Serie A as they look to leapfrog the inconsistent AC Milan to second on the table.
Mid-table-placed Fiorentina will be looking to turn their form around after losing their last two consecutive clashes in the league.
Key Highlights
Lazio’s Positive Form
Maurizio Sarri’s men are in a good vein of form in Serie A in the post-World Cup re-start. They have won their last three outings in the league, scoring 7 goals and keeping three clean sheets in the process.
They have not lost since the 2-1 reverse at Lecce. This means they have collected 10 points from the available 15 in their last 5 assignments in Serie A.
This run has seen Sarri’s men climb the table to 3rd, a point behind second-placed Milan and 13 points behind the in-form league leaders Napoli.
Sarri will look to continue his side’s brilliant form when they host Fiorentina on Sunday.
Fiorentina’s Inconsistency
Fiorentina’s form has lacked consistency this season to challenge for European places. They have won 6 times, drawn 5, and lost 8 matches out of their 19 fixtures so far in Serie A.
In the last five outings, Vincenzo Italiano and his charges won just once, drew once, and lost three times. They have collected four points and dropped 11. As a result, they are currently 11th on the table with 23 points, 11 points from the drop zone.
Vincenzo Italiano will be looking to revive his side’s form as they hope to improve on their mid-table form this season.
Injury Report
Lazio
Maurizio Sarri will not count on center-back Mario Gila in the clash against Fiorentina. The 22-year-old is nursing a foot injury he picked up on January 2nd, which has kept him out of the last 5 outings.
Lazio will also be without center-forward Ciro Immobile. The experienced Italian international has been recovering from a hamstring injury since January 15th. The 32-year-old is expected to be back fit in the first week of February.
Maurizio Sarri will also have to do without right winger Luka Romero, suspended until February 20th, 2023.
Fiorentina
Vincenzo Italiano has a few absences that will impact his choice ahead of their travel to the Stadio Olimpico. Left winger Riccardo Sottil is out with a herniated disc. The 23-year-old is a long-term case, having missed 19 matches already.
Center-forward Arthur Cabral (unknown injury), center-back Lucas Martínez Quarta (patella tendon luxation), and central midfielder Gaetano Castrovilli (disrupted calf muscle) are all missing from action for Fiorentina.
Possible Lineups
Lazio
I. Provedel; A. Marusic, N. Casale, A. Ramagnoli, E. Hysaj; S. Milinkovic-Savic, D. Cataldi, L. Alberto; Pedro, F. Anderson, M. Zaccagni
Fiorentina
P. Terracciano; L. Venuti, N. Milenkovic, Igor, C. Biraghi; S. Amrabat, A. Duncan; J. Ikone, G. Bonaventura, R. Saponara; C. Kouame
Prediction
Maurizio Sarri will look to press his side’s advantage at home against Fiorentina on Sunday. They will want to follow the impressive 4-0 demolition of defending champions AC Milan with a win and make a case for their top-four credentials.
Sarri’s men will look to dominate the ball and the match’s tempo through their incessant pressing and comfortable possession football.
Fiorentina will be looking to arrest their bad run of form. The focus will be on solidity and compactness in their approach. They will minimize the spaces that Lazio’s wide players can exploit, and they will look to attack with speed on the break.
Lazio will have too much for Fiorentina, and they will win the match and continue with their fine run of form.
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