Having had two weeks to reflect on a humbling defeat, top-four contenders Lazio aim to bounce back on Monday, when they play host to Torino.
The Biancocelesti were brought down to earth in Bologna just before international football intervened, while Toro boosted their quest for a top-10 finish in Serie A.
Match preview
© Imago
Separated by one place in the Serie A standings, Lazio met Bologna at Stadio Dall'Ara last time out, as an enthralling multi-club scrap for European qualification continued.
Already trailing by one goal at the break, Marco Baroni's men were simply swept aside after half time, conceding four more as their hosts cruised to a 5-0 win and leapfrogged them into fourth place.
Having been hit for six by Inter Milan at the end of 2024, the Biancocelesti have proved vulnerable on a couple of occasions, casting doubt over their ability to secure a crucial top-four finish.
In addition to their recent mauling in Emilia-Romagna, Lazio have drawn half of their last six league games, recording just four wins this calendar year.
As half-a-dozen teams are within a nine-point radius, all fighting for access to next season's Champions League, there will be precious little room for more slip-ups with only a few games remaining.
Of course, the capital club could take an alternative Europa League route into UEFA's top club competition, as they will soon meet Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-finals and are just three steps away from lifting the trophy.
First, though, they must deal with domestic matters, as Torino try again to improve a dismal record at Stadio Olimpico: after their 2-0 home win last term, Lazio have lost only two of the teams' last 20 league meetings in Rome.
© Imago
Following a 3-2 defeat in September's reverse fixture, Torino have lost their last three Serie A games against the Biancocelesti - and they could now lose four in a row for the very first time.
Yet, they can head to the capital city full of confidence on this occasion, after a run of three wins from four leading into the international break.
A second-half strike by Nikola Vlasic was enough to see off free-falling Empoli last time out, and the Granata have lost just one of 11 league games since the start of 2025 - only unbeaten Roma have fared better in that regard.
Such a run has certainly helped their challenge for a top-half finish, as Toro have pulled within two points of 10th-placed Udinese.
Furthermore, Paolo Vanoli's side have lost just one of their last eight matches away from Turin, making them one of the toughest teams to defeat throughout Italy's top flight. So, they will feel no fear at an expectant Olimpico.
Team News
© Imago
Continuing his spell on the sidelines, Lazio's star striker Taty Castellanos is set to be out of action for at least another two weeks, while centre-back Patric has undergone surgery after several months spent struggling with a persistent ankle problem.
First choice left-back Nuno Tavares may also be unavailable due to a muscular issue, while experienced midfielder Matias Vecino must serve a suspension.
In better news for Marco Baroni, captain Mattia Zaccagni has overcome an injury that ruled him out of Italy's first UEFA Nations League fixture and should start in support of either Boulaye Dia or Tijjani Noslin up front.
An influential presence in the hosts' engine room, France international Matteo Guendouzi has scored two of his three Serie A goals against Torino. Across all competitions this season, he has played the most minutes (3216), made the most successful passes in the final third (627), created the most chances from open play (44) and made the most final-third recoveries (16) of any Lazio player.
Meanwhile, Torino are still without Alieu Njie, plus long-term absentees Perr Schuurs and Duvan Zapata, but Valentino Lazaro and Sebastian Walukiewicz are both back in the fold after missing the recent win over Empoli.
January signings Eljif Elmas (three goals) and Cesare Casadei (one goal and one assist) have been directly involved in four of Toro's last five away strikes, and they are set to start once again.
Eight-goal top scorer Che Adams is favourite to lead the visitors' attack, with Antonio Sanabria failing to fire this season and having just returned from Paraguay duty.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Hysaj, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Noslin
Torino possible starting lineup:
Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Maripan, Coco, Biraghi; Ricci, Casadei; Lazaro, Vlasic, Elmas; Adams
We say: Lazio 1-1 Torino
Lazio may find themselves frustrated again, as Torino are a well-organised unit and have lost only five times on the road.
While Toro's work in the winter transfer window has halted a worrying decline, their hosts seem to be running out of steam after an excellent start.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
