Lazio host Torino on Sunday evening with both teams hoping to get over slight blimps in their Serie A season.
The home side suffered a disappointing defeat last week, losing 2-1 away at Sassuolo. The result was hard to imagine before the match given that Lazio had won their previous three games in Serie A, against Frosinone, Hellas Verona and Genoa. The Biancocelesti did, however, get back to winning ways with a routine 3-1 against Rosenborg in the Europa League. Lazio also have an impressive home record this campaign having won their last four home games in Serie A, keeping clean sheets in three of them.
Torino, meanwhile, have only won one game in their last four in Serie A, including two disappointing defeats to Chievo and Carpi. Last week the Granata came from behind to earn a draw against AC Milan with the result leaving Torino in 7th place in Serie A.
Last season Lazio did the double over Torino. In the game at the Stadio Olimpico goals from Lucas Biglia and Miroslav Klose earned the home side a 2-1 victory. While in Turin a quick fire double from Felipe Anderson secured Lazio a 2-0 win. Lazio also dumped Torino out of the Coppa Italia after beating them 3-1 in a game which saw Daniele Padelli sent off for Torino. The Biancocelesti are now are undefeated in their last 10 home matches against Torino in all competitions.
Both sides come into the game with a host of injuries. Lazio coach Stefano Pioli will be without Ricardo Kishna, Marco Paolo, Keita and Stefan de Vrij. Danilo Cataldi is suspended with Lucas Biglia and Filip Djordjevic both doubts but they could play given the lack of other options.
Torino meanwhile have Joel Obi, Alexander Fernerud, Nikola Maksimovic, Danilo Avelar and Pontus Jansson are out due to injury. The one bonus for coach Giampiero Ventura is the expected return of defender Bruno Peres from injury.
Form Guide: Lazio (W-W-W-L-W) Torino (W-L-W-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Lazio: Marchetti; Basta, Mauricio, Gentiletti, Lulic; Onazi, Biglia; Candreva, Milinkovic-Savic, Felipe Anderson; Klose
Torino: Padelli; Bovo, Glik, Moretti; Peres, Acquah, Vives, Baselli, Molinaro; Belotti, Quagliarella
Infographic from www.sporticos.com
