Lazio's Serie A season concludes against already-relegated Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
While Igor Tudor's men cannot end higher than seventh despite a strong push to make it into the coveted continental spots, the Biancocelesti aim to notch a fifth straight home win in the competition (a draw also suffices) that guarantees their current position with Fiorentina making a late play to supplant them.
Match preview
© Reuters
Lazio needed to beat champions Inter Milan last time out to head into the final day still in with a possibility of finishing above fierce rivals Roma in sixth.
The Biancocelesti sit three points below Daniele De Rossi's troops with one game remaining, but their inferior head-to-head against the Giallorossi this term means Sunday's draw at Inter has ended that possibility of supplanting their rivals regardless of Roma's result at relegation-threatened Empoli.
Finishing six could secure a Champions League berth at the season's culmination after Atalanta BC's Europa League success, even if that eventuality is contingent on La Dea not finishing higher than fifth in the standings.
Lazio could ultimately rue the 2-2 draw at Monza in gameweek 35, in which they led until Milan Djuric levelled for the Biancorossi in the second minute of second-half stoppage time.
It could have come down to securing maximum points at Olimpico on the final day, something Tudor's men have done in every league game since his appointment in March.
© Reuters
The capital club aim for a fifth consecutive Serie A home triumph when they take on a Sassuolo side whose top-flight run ended last weekend.
Davide Ballardini arrived at the start of March, but the new man at the helm could only inspire the Neroverdi to two victories in 11 league matches, including a 1-0 success against champions Inter in early May.
The Emilia-Romagna outfit's inability to eke out points from losing positions means they exit the competition after an 11-year stay in Serie A, although they hope to go down on a high.
That outcome could be a long shot for a club without maximum points on the road since November 2023 — a rip-roaring 4-3 win at Empoli.
Securing only two more points on their travels in 12 away games — both 2-2 draws against relegation-threatened Udinese and relegated Salernitana — possibly underlines why the Neroverdi have struggled this season.
Team News
© Reuters
Nicolo Casale was booked at San Siro last weekend, meaning the defender will serve a one-game ban after his fifth booking. Luigi Sepe (knee) is not expected back for a few more weeks if not months.
Daichi Kamada's goal at Inter on Sunday took him to 49 goal involvements — 22 goals, 27 assists — in Europe's top-five leagues, and the Japanese midfielder could make that 50 against relegated opponents.
Having been involved in nine goals — five goals, four assists — against Sassuolo in Serie A, Felipe Anderson could score against Sunday's opponents for the fourth game running to make it double figures against the Neroverdi.
Gregoire Defrel's four goals on the final day in Serie A is a joint-high among current players in the Italian top division, and the Sassuolo striker aims to increase that tally at the Olimpico.
Matheus Henrique will miss Sassuolo's final game after his sending-off against Cagliari last time out. Domenico Berardi and Samu Castillejo (both knee) are missing through injury for the away side, while Uros Racic and Martin Erlic are seemingly doubtful.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Patric, Romagnoli, Gila; Marusic, Vecino, Rovella, Pellegrini; Kamada, Zaccagni; Castellanos
Sassuolo possible starting lineup:
Consigli; Kumbulla, Ruan, Ferrari; Toljan, Boloca, Obiang, Thorstvedt, Doig; Pinamonti, Lauriente
We say: Lazio 2-0 Sassuolo
Despite having little to play for on the final day, Tudor hopes his side remain motivated against Sassuolo this weekend, keen to claim a fifth straight league win at the Olimpico (six in all competitions) to end the campaign.
The Biancocelesti have won the last four against the Neroverdi, and that streak should become five on the spin in the capital.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
