Lazio will welcome Empoli to Stadio Olimpico this Sunday in the 17th round of the 2022/23 Serie A session.
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
Key Statistics
Lazio have lost three of the last five league games (W2).
Lazio are the only SA team yet to concede in the opening 30 minutes (GF: 11).
Empoli have won just one of the eight away league games they have played this season (D4, L3).
They are winless in their last four away games (D2, L2).
Head to head
Lazio are unbeaten in 13 home games against Empoli (W10, D3).
Latest performances in all competitions
Lazio: L-L-W-W-L
Empoli: D-W-L-D-W
Lazio
Lazio will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Empoli at the Stadio Olimpico this Sunday.
The hosts made a losing return to leave action as they were beaten 2-1 by Lecce in their first Serie A match of 2023. Not only did they suffer a 2-1 defeat despite opening the scoring, but the game was also marred by racist abuse aimed towards Lecce players Samuel Umtiti and Banda, forcing the referee to halt play.
While investigations continue, manager Maurizio Sarri tried to focus on the footballing side, insisting that his side’s performance was “clearly inferior to the level we thought.”
Having been in the top-four conversation all season, the Biancocelesti have now dropped out after suffering three defeats in their last five league games (W2).
Therefore, the successful return of their historical top-scorer, Ciro Immobile, who netted after just 14 minutes on the pitch last time out, may prove crucial. Scoring goals, particularly at home, has been tough, with Lazio last scoring 2+ goals in a home league match back on October 2. So, Maurizio Sarri will hope his side can be inspired again by the returning Immobile, who has found the net in five of his eight career H2Hs (G6).
Possible Lazio starting line-up
Ivan Provedel, Manuel Lazzari, Nicolò Casale, Alessio Romagnoli, Adam Marusic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Toma Basic, Danilo Cataldi, Pedro Rodriguez, Ciro Immobile, Mattia Zaccagni.
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Empoli
Meanwhile, Empoli will look to continue their positive run of form when they travel to Rome on Sunday.
The visitors continued to show signs of improvement with a third positive result from four Serie A matches (W2, D1, L1) after drawing 1-1 away to Udinese.
The result has pushed them closer to mid-table, with the Tuscany side now sitting in 13th place and a crucial nine points off the relegation zone.
Their next goal will be to improve their poor away form, which has seen them win once in the league this season (D4, L3).
However, a good omen for them is that on exactly the same date as this clash last year; a struggling Empoli surprised everyone by securing a 3-3 draw here, stopping a run of four consecutive H2H away losses.
Possible Empoli starting line-up
Guglielmo Vicario, Petar Stojanovic, Ardian Ismajli, Sebastiano Luperto, Fabiano Parisi, Nedim Bajrami, Alberto Grassi, Răzvan Marin, Tommaso Baldanzi, Francesco Caputo, Martin Satriano.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Mattia Destro
Suspended: Daniel Akpa
Odds
| Lazio to win | Draw | Empoli to win | |
| Odds | 1.53 | 4.20 | 6.00 |
| Probability (%) | 62 | 22 | 16 |
Prediction
Lazio 2-0 Empoli
