Lazio may have one eye on their crucial Champions League qualifier with Bayer Leverkusen as they begin their new Serie A campaign against Bologna on Saturday evening.

The Biancocelesti hold a slender advantage ahead of next Wednesday's second leg, but first they will look for a winning start in the league as their newly-promoted opponents travel to Rome.

Lazio

© Getty Images

Lazio will be hoping to replicate the success that they achieved last season when they managed to secure an impressive third-place finish in Serie A.

There were not many who believed that Stefano Pioli could guide the club to a place in Europe, after a poor showing in the 2013-14 campaign that saw them end ninth in the table.

However, a stunning run of form between February and April that saw them win eight games in a row pushed them into the Champions League places, with a final-day victory over Napoli securing their return among Europe's elite.

They were not given an easy task in their attempts to qualify for the group stage, as they were drawn against Bayer Leverkusen in the playoff round.

The first leg of that match looked set to end in a goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico, but a late strike from Keita Balde Diao helped to secure an important 1-0 victory ahead of next week's return meeting in Germany.

Although Pioli will want to ensure that his players are not complacent at the weekend, there are sure to be question marks over whether they are completely focused, with the rewards of reaching the group stage so lucrative for the club.

Recent form: WLLLLW

Bologna

© Getty Images

Hoping to mark their return to Serie A with a victory this weekend are Bologna, who are back in the top flight after a one-year absence.

The Rossoblu were relegated in the 2013-14 season after a dreadful campaign that saw them win just five of their league fixtures.

It was not just a turbulent campaign for the club on the pitch, as they suffered a number of financial problems and the board were heavily criticised for the sale of key players such as Alessandro Diamanti.

Their concerns in the boardroom were eased when Joe Tacopina took over the club last October and they eventually managed to win promotion after finishing fourth in Serie B and winning the playoffs.

As the Rossoblu prepare for the new season, they have brought in a number of players throughout the summer, with the most high-profile of those the capture of Mattia Destro from Roma.

Other notable arrivals include Antonio Mirante, Luca Rossettini, Matteo Brighi and Franco Brienza, while they have managed to keep hold of the key players from their promotion campaign.

Delio Rossi will also be hoping that his team can transfer their good defensive record from Serie B to the top flight. They leaked just 35 goals in their 42 league games, with only champions Carpi conceding less.

Recent form: LDDLWL

Team News

© Getty Images

Lazio have been dealt a blow with the news that Miroslav Klose will be out for several weeks with a thigh injury.

His absence means that Keita should start in the attack, after impressing when he came on against Leverkusen.

Federico Marchetti is also expected to miss out with a rib injury, so Etrit Berisha will keep his place in goal.

Meanwhile, former Roma striker Destro should lead the attack for the visitors after his recent transfer from the Giallorossi.

Lazio possible starting lineup:
Berisha, Basta, Mauricio, Gentiletti, Radu, Cataldi, Biglia, Parolo, Candreva, Anderson, Keita

Bologna possible starting lineup:
Mirante, Mbaye, Oikonomou, Rossettini, Masina, Pulgar, Crisetig, Brighi, Brienza, Acquafresca, Destro

Head To Head

A stoppage-time penalty from Lucas Biglia gave Lazio a 1-0 victory when the teams last met, in what was the Rossoblu's final game before they were relegated from Serie A in 2014.

The Rome club also enjoyed an impressive 6-0 win over Bologna in the previous campaign, with Klose scoring five goals on that occasion.

Lazio have lost just two of their past 11 matches against Bologna and have suffered only one home defeat against the Rossoblu in the past 18 years.

The two managers have also enjoyed spells at their opponents this weekend. Pioli was the Bologna head coach between 2011 and 2014, while Rossi was in charge of Lazio from 2005 until 2009.

We say: Lazio 2-0 Bologna

Lazio will be heavy favourites to win the match, but they must guard against complacency with such a massive game against Leverkusen to come next Wednesday. They will not find it easy to break down a well-drilled Bologna outfit, but they should have just enough to claim the points and make a winning start to their league campaign.

Previews by email