Lazio at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Serie A.
The guests come into the game after three consecutive wins that has put them in third place in Serie A only three points short of leaders Fiorentina.
Sassuolo encountered their first loss of the season in Empoli before the international break, after a brilliant start to the campaign. Lazio started slowly, but after losing 5-0 against Napoli have won three games in a row and are catching up with the top teams.
Last season Lazio managed to do the double against Sassuolo. Despite a Domenico Berardi double, Lazio won 3-2 at the Stadio Olimpico and beat Sassuolo away 3-0 with Felipe Anderson scoring and setting up one of the goals.
Sassuolo are, however, in good form at home as they have not been beaten at the Mapei Stadium in six games in Serie A.
The Biancocelesti come into this game with a mountain of injury problems. The “FIFA virus” that has injured players from a number of teams has also infected Lazio: Lucas Biglia and Marco Parolo, their two starting midfielders, were both injured during the international break. Defender Stefan De Vrij still has not recovered from his injury.
Coach Stefano Pioli will have to find a solution in midfield, while up front Miroslav Klose will return straight to the starting line up, as Filip Djordjevic is injured.
Sassuolo Eusebio Di Francesco meanwhile has the majority of his squad available for selection. Former Lazio striker Sergio Floccari is the only injured player.
Form Guide: Sassuolo (D-D-W-D-L) Lazio (W-L-W-W-W)
Expected Starting XIs:
Sassuolo: Consigli, Vrsaljko, Acerbi, Cannavaro, Peluso, Missiroli, Magnanelli, Duncan, Berardi, Defrel, Floro Flores
Lazio: Marchetti, Basta, Mauricio, Gentiletti, Lulic, Cataldi, Onazi, Candreva, Felipe Anderson, Kishna, Klose
Infographics produced by www. sporticos.com
