Lazio travel to Empoli on Sunday afternoon full of confidence after recent Serie A results, while the home side will be looking to turn things around.
New Lazio coach Stefano Pioli has enjoyed a great start to his time in the capital, the Biancocelesti sit in third spot in Serie A after ten matches.
Lazio have won four out of their last five Serie A games, with the other result being an impressive draw away at Verona. Only Genoa have matched Lazio’s 13 points in the last five Serie A rounds.
Their most recent victory was at home against Cagliari on Monday night. A Miroslav Klose double and goals from Stefano Mauri and Ederson, saw Lazio climb up into third and the last Champions League spot.
Empoli, on the hand, have been in terrible form in recent weeks. Following their promotion to Serie A, the side from Tuscany have struggled on their return to the top flight of Italian football.
Empoli have only won once this season, at home against fellow newly promoted side Palermo, and are currently only out of the relegation zone on goal difference.
Last week was particularly bad for Maurizio Sarri and his men. They lost all three of their Serie A fixtures, against Cagliari, Sassuolo and Juventus, conceding seven and finding the net just once.
The last time Empoli entertained Lazio in Serie A was back in February 2008. An early Ighli Vannucchi goal was enough for Empoli to claim all three points although they were to be relegated to Serie B at the end of the season.
Lazio are likely to be without Stefan Radu and Senad Lulic for the game at the Carlo Castellani, while Empoli will not be able to call upon the services of Lorenzo Tonelli who is suspended.
Expected Starting XIs
Empoli: Bassi; Laurini, Barba, Rugani, Mario Rui; Vecino, Valdifiori, Croce; Zielinski; Tavano, Maccarone
Lazio: Marchetti; Cavanda, De Vrij, Ciani, Braaafheid; Parolo, Biglia, Lulic; Candreva, Klose, Mauri
