Lazio welcome Sassuolo to the Stadio Olimpico on Monday evening with only a single point separating the two sides.
The Aquile booked their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a resounding 3-1 win over Galatasaray in midweek and will be looking to atone for last weekend’s drab goalless draw with lowly Frosinone.
Lazio’s form has fluctuated since the turn of the year, losing just once but registering five draws in the meantime.
Coach Stefano Pioli still harbours belief that his side can summon enough firepower to propel themselves into European contention and swatting aside a high-flying Sassuolo outfit will go along way to achieving his aspirations.
The Neroverdi halted a seven game winless stretch with a 3-2 success over Empoli at the Mapei Stadium last time out and leapfrogged Monday’s opponents in the process.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s side have been an inconsistent revelation this term and continue to confound pre-season expectations with a mix of attacking verve and defensive solidity.
Things looked ominous last weekend when midfield fulcrum Simone Missiroli was dismissed shortly after the half-hour mark and Empoli broke the deadlock five minutes later.
But Lorenzo Tonelli’s expulsion and Domenico Berardi’s exquisite volley levelled proceedings before Gregoire Defrel assumed control and sealed all three points after the interval.
Lazio boast the superior head-to-head record since Sassuolo’s promotion to the top-flight, recording three victories, a draw and a solitary defeat.
That loss arrived in the reverse fixture between these two teams in October when Berardi and Missiroli netted in a 2-1 victory for Di Francesco’s side.
There are no fresh injury concerns for Pioli with the long-term absentees of Stefan de Vrij, Stefan Radu and Santiago Gentiletti still sidelined.
The away side will be at full-strength with the exception of Missiroli, who is serving his one-match ban.
Form Guide: Lazio (D-W-D-D-W) Sassuolo (D-L-D-D-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Lazio: Marchetti; Basta, Mauricio, Hoedt, Konko; Milinkovic-Savic, Biglia, Cataldi; Candreva, Matri, Keita.
Sassuolo: Consigli; Vrsaljko, Cannavaro, Acerbi, Peluso; Pellegrini, Magnanelli, Duncan; Berardi, Defrel, Sansone.
