Lazio prepare to host Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk at Stadio Olimpico in Rome Thursday in the Europa League.
Having earned three wins and a 1-1 draw against the Ukrainians during their European campaign, the Biancocelesti have dominated Group G, and need to earn only one point against last year’s Europa League finalists to confirm their spot in the final 32.
Following three straight league defeats to Roma, AC Milan and Atalanta, and most recently a 1-1 draw against Palermo, Lazio have suffered a dip in form, leaving them 8th in the Serie A table.
Stefano Pioli’s side will instead focus on maintaining the success they have achieved in Europe so far this season, where they have won their last three fixtures and sit top of the group.
Myron Markevych’s side have also experienced a dip in forming, after starting the league with two straight wins. They’ve struggled to win in their recent matches, having earned five points in their last three league matches, where they now sit third in the Ukrainian Premier league.
The Ukrainians have also struggled in Europe, earning just four points in their first four fixtures, placing them third in the group. Having only notched two goals in the entire competition, Dnipro’s campaign is now in jeopardy, as they failed to score in back-to-back defeats to Saint-Etienne.
Lazio have never lost a home fixture to a Ukrainian side, while Dnipro’s away record in Italy is less than glittering, having lost four game and managed only a single draw, last year against Napoli.
Lazio will be missing several key players including defender Stefan de Vrij who is still recovering from a surgery and is sidelined for the foreseeable future. Midfielder duo Stefano Mauri and Ogenyi Onazi will also miss out due to injury.
Dnipro is expected to be nearly at full strength with only midfielder Evgen Shakhov expected to be missed.
Both sides have one suspended player, as Keita Balde saw red for Lazio in their last Europa League match, while Ruslan Rotan will sit out for the Ukrainians.
Form Guide: Lazio (D-L-W-L-L) Dnipro (D-W-L-D-L)
Expected Starting XIs
Lazio: Marchetti; Basta, Mauricio, Hoedt, Radu; Cataldi, Parolo, Biglila, Candreva, Lulic; Matri
Dnipro: Boyko, Douglas, Gueye, Fedetskyi, Pico, Fedorchuk, Leo Matos, Kankava, Konoplyanka, Matheus, Seleznyov
