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Coached by Maurizio Sarri and Igor Tudor last season, Lazio were pretty ineffective and stale as they now try to become more efficient under Marco Baroni. They take on an impressive and high flying Empoli side at the Stadio Olimpico this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 6th October, 2024 - UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – OneFootball / US – Paramount+
LAZIO PREVIEW: THE LOTTERY OF LAZIO
Under the management of Hellas Verona’s miracle worker from last season, Marco Baroni, Lazio have started the 2024/25 Serie A season in quite inconsistent fashion as they begin the weekend sitting outside of the top six having managed three victories with a draw and two defeats in their opening six matches.
The capital city club come into this one on the back of a 4-1 annihilation of Nice in the UEFA Europa League in midweek thanks to a brace from Valentin Castellanos as well as goals from Pedro and Mattia Zaccagni. That victory backed up an entertaining and impressive 3-2 win against Torino in Piedmont last weekend.
EMPOLI PREVIEW: D’AVERSA’S JOB
Last season, Empoli avoided relegation to Serie B on the final day of last season with Davide Nicola eventually saving them like he did with Crotone and Salernitana before, following the sackings of Paolo Zanetti and Aurelio Andreazzoli.
This time around, though, the Florence-based club appear like a team that may compete quite a bit higher in the table with the appointment of former Lecce and Benevento boss Roberto D’Aversa. They shared a goalless draw in the derby of Florence against Fiorentina last weekend and actually remain unbeaten after six matches, beginning this weekend above Lazio in the table on goal difference.
LAZIO TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT LAZIO
Lazio are in good form at the moment in both Serie A and there would appear no reason for Marco Baroni to make any changes to his side ahead of this weekend.
The Lazio boss is blessed with having a fully fit and available squad as they welcome Empoli to the Stadio Olimpico in Rome for this one.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Valentin Castellanos
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
EMPOLI TEAM NEWS: COUPLE OF ISSUES
Long-term injury absentee Tyronne Ebuehi remains unavailable for Empoli this weekend and he sidelined alongside summer signing from Torino, Saba Sazonov.
As well as those two absentees, Empoli are likely to be without both Samuele Perisan and key midfielder Szymon Zurkowski but they are both nearing returns to full fitness.
PREDICTED XI (3-1-4-2): Devis Vasquez; Goglichdze, Ismajli, Viti; Grassi; Gyasi, Pezzella, Anjorin, Henderson; Esposito, Colombo
UNAVAILABLE: Ebuehi (Injured), Sazonov (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Perisan (Injured), Zurkowski (Injured)
LAZIO VS EMPOLI PREDICTION
Lazio are trying to be a bit more ruthless and efficient under the management of Marco Baroni and they are pushing towards the top six or seven in Serie A. They have appeared to click into gear a bit more in the last couple of weeks or so. They now welcome an Empoli side that remain unbeaten but have scored just five goals in their six matches so far this season and a defeat must surely be on the cards for this one.
LAZIO VS EMPOLI TIP: LAZIO TO WIN