Lazio will aim to extend their impressive run of form when they host relegation-threatened Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night in Serie A. The Biancocelesti have been in scintillating form lately, winning seven of their last eight matches across all competitions. Meanwhile, Cagliari find themselves mired near the bottom of the table and desperately in need of points.
Marco Baroni’s Lazio side have been firing on all cylinders in recent weeks. They capped off a highly productive October with a resounding 5-1 victory over Como last time out, with Taty Castellanos bagging a brace and veteran forward Pedro also finding the net. That result continued a superb run that has seen Lazio lose just once in their last eight matches while averaging an impressive 2.75 goals per game.
The capital club are thriving both domestically and in Europe. They currently top their Europa League group with a perfect record of three wins from three matches. In Serie A, Lazio have surged up the table and are putting pressure on the top four following their excellent recent form.
At home, Lazio have been particularly formidable. They are unbeaten in their last 10 Serie A fixtures at the Stadio Olimpico stretching back to last season. The Biancocelesti have won each of their last three home league matches and will be confident of extending that streak against Cagliari.
In stark contrast to their high-flying hosts, Cagliari find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle. The Sardinian side have managed just two victories all season in Serie A and currently sit perilously close to the drop zone.
After a brief upturn that saw them collect seven points from three matches, Cagliari ended October in dismal fashion. They slumped to back-to-back 2-0 defeats against Udinese and Bologna, failing to score in either match. That continued a worrying trend that has seen Cagliari fail to find the net in six of their first 10 league fixtures – equaling their worst such tally in 34 years.
Manager Davide Nicola faces an uphill battle to turn things around, with a daunting run of fixtures on the horizon. After the trip to Lazio, Cagliari must contend with the likes of AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Atalanta in the coming weeks.
History certainly favors Lazio in this matchup. The Biancocelesti have won 11 of the last 12 meetings between these sides in Rome, scoring a whopping 27 goals in the process. Home or away, Cagliari are winless in their last 18 Serie A clashes with Lazio dating all the way back to May 2013.
Given the contrasting form and historical dominance, Lazio will be heavy favorites to continue their winning ways on Monday night.
Team News
Lazio received a boost with the news that key midfielder Nicolo Rovella has recovered from a muscular issue that kept him out of the midweek win over Como. However, captain Mattia Zaccagni remains doubtful after a bout of severe gastroenteritis, while Patric and Matteo Guendouzi are also minor injury concerns.
With a Europa League clash against Porto on the horizon, manager Marco Baroni may opt to rest top scorer Taty Castellanos. Boulaye Dia could come into the starting lineup, having been directly involved in five Serie A goals this season.
For Cagliari, Antoine Makoumbou returns from suspension and is likely to slot straight back into midfield. Nicola may stick with the strike partnership of Roberto Piccoli and Nicolas Viola, with Zito Luvumbo potentially remaining on the bench.
Expected Starting XIs
Lazio: Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Rovella, Guendouzi; Tchaouna, Pedro, Noslin; Castellanos
Cagliari: Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Obert; Zortea, Marin, Makoumbou, Augello; Viola; Piccoli
Match Prediction
Given their scintillating recent form and historical dominance in this fixture, Lazio should have too much firepower for a struggling Cagliari side. The Biancocelesti’s attacking weapons are likely to prove decisive against the division’s joint-worst defense. While Cagliari will be desperate for points, it’s difficult to see them halting Lazio’s momentum.
Lazio’s combination of defensive solidity at home and clinical finishing should see them claim a comfortable victory to continue their push up the Serie A table. For Cagliari, damage limitation may be the priority as they seek to avoid another heavy defeat in the capital.
Prediction: Lazio 2-0 Cagliari
