Lazio hopes to continue their recent winning streak on Monday when they welcome the troubled side of Cagliari to Stadio Olimpico. Biancocelesti have indeed won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, with Cagliari only registering a couple of league wins this season.
Match Preview
Lazio’s Strong Run of Form
Lazio sealed a productive October with a win on Halloween, continuing their recent excellent form in Serie A and the Europa League. Currently topping their Europa League group with three wins from three, Marco Baroni’s squad is presently on the charge for a top-four spot domestically.
In their 5-1 victory over Como, Taty Castellanos scored twice, with a further goal for veteran forward Pedro as Lazio showed off their attacking muscle. The Biancocelesti have now won seven of their last eight games while averaging 2.75 goals within that span. The appointment of Baroni was seen as unwarranted by many, yet this has been fully justified thus far as Lazio results continue to impress.
Lazio comes into this game unbeaten in the last 10 Serie A home games with three straight wins going into this fixture. Talking about their form, they have also won 11 of the last 12 encounters against Cagliari in Rome, netting 27 times in the process at Stadio Olimpico.
Cagliari’s Struggles and Challenges
Meanwhile, Cagliari has failed to snap its 18-game losing streak without beating Lazio in the league-a drought dating back to 2013. The Sardinian team has had major problems scoring, having failed to score in six of their opening 10 games this season-matching a 34-year low.
Coming off an impressive three-game run that somewhat lifted them up the table, Davide Nicola’s men concluded October in the worst way possible. Consecutive 2-0 losses to Bologna and Udinese have seen them slip further down in the table. The schedule does not get a lot friendlier with Lazio, AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Atalanta BC lined up in their next games and the intensity of Cagliari is sure to be put through the wringer in what looks like a difficult run to claw their way up the standings.
Team Form
Lazio’s Recent Serie A Form: LWWLWW
Lazio’s Recent Form (All Competitions): WWLWWW
Cagliari’s Recent Serie A Form: LWDWLL
Cagliari’s Recent Form (All Competitions): WWDWLL
Team News
Lazio
Midfielder Nicolo Rovella should be back after recovering from a minor muscle problem. Patric and Matteo Guendouzi are still minor doubts, while captain Mattia Zaccagni remains uncertain as he recovers from severe gastroenteritis. Serie A assist leader Nuno Tavares is suspended for this encounter.
With the Europa League clash with Porto on the horizon, Marco Baroni may consider changing a few faces in his squad and could leave Castellanos on the bench as he could begin with Boulaye Dia, who scored a double the last time he faced Cagliari.
Cagliari
Antoine Makoumbou comes back from suspension and may go back to the starting midfield, while manager Davide Nicola will most probably stick to the pairing upfront in the persons of Roberto Piccoli and Nicolas Viola, with Zito Luvumbo most likely to remain on the bench.
Predicted Lineups
Lazio Possible Starting XI:
Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Rovella, Guendouzi; Tchaouna, Pedro, Noslin; Castellanos
Cagliari Possible Starting XI:
Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Obert; Zortea, Marin, Makoumbou, Augello; Viola; Piccoli
Prediction: Lazio 2-0 Cagliari
It has been an easy win for Lazio against such an offensively weak Cagliari team considering their current form and strength at home. Considering Lazio have plenty of in-form attacking options, they should manage to breach the opposition net while Cagliari’s low scoring average may prevent them from mounting a comeback at Stadio Olimpico.
