Lazio travel to the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on Sunday afternoon to play lowly Atalanta, knowing a win will maintain their Champions League ambitions for next season.
La Dea will be looking to return to winning ways after recording three consecutive draws.
Newly appointed coach Edy Reja has somewhat resolved the club’s dismal form, as the former Lazio coach has suffered just one defeat, but has recorded six draws since taking over the La Dea reigns.
A 2-2 draw to relegation threatened Cesena proved insufficient as Atalanta continue to nervously look over their shoulder as they remain in 17th place and seven points clear on 32 points in the Serie A standings.
Meanwhile, Lazio are desperate to remain in the hunt of securing an unprecedented Champions League place, following its 4-0 rout of Parma.
The impressive performance sees Stefano Pioli’s men maintain its position in second place on 62 points.
In the corresponding fixture this campaign Lazio scored three second-half goals to register an emphatic 3-0 triumph over La Dea back in December.
Indeed, that victory in December ended a two game winless streak against Atalanta who managed to do the double over the Biancocelesti last season. In saying that, Lazio have had the wood over their counterparts in recent years winning six of the preceding nine meetings.
For the match, Reja will have to do without German Denis who is serving a five-match ban for his attack on Lorenzo Tonelli. Defender Yohan Benalouane is unavailable for the game after being brandished a caution, while Nicholas Cherubin is a doubt with an injury complaint.
Stefano Pioli will be without veteran Miroslav Klose who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. However, Ogenyi Onazi will come as a welcome boost as he returns from suspension, in a side where Stefan de Vrij, Lucas Biglia and Lorik Cana are all likely to miss the match with injury concerns.
Form Guide: Atalanta (D-L-W-D-D-D) Lazio (W-W-W-L-D-W)
Expected Starting Xis
Atalanta: Sportiello; Bellini, Masiello, Stendardo, Drame; Zappacosta, Cigarini, Carmona, Gomez; Pinilla, Moralez
Lazio: Marchetti; Basta, Ciani, Mauricio, Radu; Parolo, Cataldi, Lulic; Candreva, Mauri, Anderson
