Lazio seek a return to winning ways after last week's derby loss when they host cellar-dwelling Salernitana in Friday's Serie A round 32 clash at Stadio Olimpico.
Igor Tudor's men have suffered back-to-back setbacks in the cup and league, and they face the perfect opponent to get back on track this weekend.
Match preview
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Lazio almost forgot what it feels like to lose the Derby della Capitale, having gone undefeated since 2022, but that came to a halt last weekend.
The Biancocelesti had gone four matches without losing to their city rivals but Gianluca Mancini scored the game's only goal for Daniele De Rossi's Roma in round 31.
That defeat means Lazio have come crashing down to earth after the initial upswing under Tudor, with that derby loss following a disappointing second half in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg in which the capital club lost 2-0 to Juventus, days after securing a Serie A victory over Massimiliano Allegri's troops.
Tudor hopes for a response against the league's worst side, keen to bounce back after two defeats on the trot in all competitions as the Biancocelesti seek retribution for the 1-0 loss suffered in the reverse fixture in November and last season's corresponding game that saw the Salerno outfit win 3-1.
With none of the seven Serie A matches between these clubs ending in a stalemate, the home support desire to be the ones smiling this time against a side bound to be relegated.
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Salernitana's fate is not mathematically sealed but Stefano Colantuono is unlikely to inspire the required turnaround in fortunes to avoid relegation.
The Granata are 11 points behind 18th-placed Frosinone and 12 adrift of Hellas Verona in 17th, underscoring the challenge facing the Campania outfit at the Olimpico.
Under their fourth boss of the season after Fabio Liverani's departure, the visitors seek a shock result to claim only their second road victory of the 2023-24 season to add to their triumph at Hellas Verona before the turn of the year.
Since that 1-0 triumph on December 30, the Granata have suffered several damaging losses on their travels in all competitions, including conceding six in their 6-1 Coppa Italia loss at Juventus, four at Inter, four at Cagliari and three in their last away match at Bologna.
Salernitana have failed to score in eight away matches in this pitiful season, a joint-high in Serie A and B, underscoring their challenges to find the back of the net — 25 goals is a joint-low with Empoli — and having the worst defensive record (64) emphasises the club's desperate situation.
Team News
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Matteo Guendouzi has set up three of Lazio's last five goals in Serie A, and the midfield man should start for Tudor's men.
The home side are without Ciro Immobile (knee), Alessio Romagnoli, Manuel Lazzari (both calf injuries), Ivan Provedel and Mattia Zaccagni (both ankle).
Pedro Rodriguez will hope to avoid a yellow as he is one booking from suspension.
The same applies to Lorenzo Pirola on the away side, with the 22-year-old defender one booking from a one-match ban.
Norbert Gyomber was back on the Salernitana bench in last week's 2-2 draw with Sassuolo but is unlikely to start at Lazio.
Missing for the visitors are Grigoris Kastanos (knee), Federico Fazio (muscle), Toma Basic and Guillermo Ochoa (both unspecified injuries); Konstantinos Manolas (muscle) is touch-and-go but should start at centre-back — Jerome Boateng could stand in if the Greek defender is eventually unavailable.
Antonio Candreva, involved in 12 of the Salerno outfit's 25 league goals - six goals, six assists - hopes to have a positive showing for the struggling side at the Olimpico.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Mandas; Casale, Patric, Gila; Marusic, Guendouzi, Vecino, Anderson; Alberto, Kamada; Castellanos
Salernitana possible starting lineup:
Costil; Pierozzi, Manolas, Pirola, Zanoli; Tchaouna, Legowski, Maggiore, Vignato; Candreva, Ikwuemesi
We say: Lazio 2-0 Salernitana
Despite Lazio's struggles in front of goal - since the 1994-95 season, 37 goals after 31 games outdo only 29 goals at this stage in 2009-10 - the Biancocelesti should secure the much-needed points in their continental chase.
Tudor's men should make the most of playing lowly opposition and secure a win as a consequence to get back on track after a difficult 10 days.
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