Lazio will travel to Norwegian side Rosenborg on Thursday aiming to add to their advantage in Europa League Group G.
A win away to the group’s bottom team will make it ten points in four matches so far this Europa League campaign and further secure the Biancocelesti’s top spot of the group.
In their last match against Rosenborg in October, Lazio managed a 3-1 win despite an early red card. Coach Stefano Pioli had previously led his side to a 1-1 draw with Ukrainian side Dnipro followed by a 3-2 win against Ligue 1’s Saint-Etienne.
Rosenborg, in contrast, are all but out of contention half way through the group stage. They have mustered a single – albeit impressive – point away to Saint-Etienne in their opening match of the group. Since then they’ve fallen in a 1-0 loss to Dnipro and the 3-1 loss away to Lazio last time out.
Beyond a result’s meaning in the context of their European campaign, Lazio will be aiming to arrest a slump that has seen them lose their last two matches in Serie A. Sunday’s loss to AC Milan allowed the Rossoneri to overtake them in the table, where Lazio currently sit seventh ahead of the coming derby game against rivals Roma.
To their relief, Lazio can be confident in earning something Thursday – not only did they best Rosenborg last time out in unfavourable circumstances, but they have also managed to avoid losing in 13 of their last 14 games in the Europa League.
Pioli will continue to be without a handful of players Thursday – Stefan de Vrij, Keita, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Wesley Hoedt and Marco Parolo are all likely to be out injured, while Brazilian centre-back Mauricio will be suspended after his red card in the two sides’ last match.
Rosenborg will be able to name a mostly full strength squad, with the only exception being young injured forward Andreas Helmersen.
Form Guide: Rosenborg (W-D-L-D-W) Lazio (L-W-W-L-L)
Expected Starting XIs:
Rosenborg: Hansen; Svensson, Bjordal, Eyjolfsson, Dorsin; Jensen, Selnaes, Midtsjo, Lanlay, Soderlund, Skjelvik
Lazio: Berisha; Konko, Radu, Gentiletti, Lulic; Onazi, Cataldi; Candreva, Mauri, Anderson; Matri
