Preview: Lazio vs Hellas Verona - prediction, team news, lineups

Aiming to bounce back from defeat on Serie A's opening matchday, Lazio will host Hellas Verona in one of Sunday's late kickoffs.

While the Biancocelesti lost in Como, Verona claimed a point in Udine; now the pair clash at Stadio Olimpico.

Match preview

Returning head coach Maurizio Sarri has endured a tough start to his second spell as Lazio boss, having had his hands tied by a transfer embargo and then overseen a painful loss last weekend.

After the Biancocelesti blew up at the end of last season and missed out on Europe entirely, Sarri strode back into the club he left in early 2024, targeting a top-four finish.

However, unable to recruit new players over the summer, he took his team to Stadio Sinigaglia for an opening-day clash against Como, and Lazio left empty-handed after a 2-0 defeat.

So, the pressure is already on Sarri's side to get off the mark on home turf, where the Rome club have won only one of their last dozen league matches.

Having won 10 of the previous 12, Lazio have since drawn on eight occasions - and they lost 1-0 to Lecce on last season's final matchday.

At least history will be on their side in one respect this weekend, as January's 3-0 win at Stadio Bentegodi made it seven Serie A games unbeaten against Verona.

Indeed, Hellas have won just one of their last 17 league meetings with Lazio at the Olimpico, losing 12 times during that period.

After finishing well to retain top-flight status in 2024-25, the Scaligeri kicked off their seventh straight Serie A season with a 1-1 draw on Monday.

Udinese went in front shortly after the break, before Verona skipper Suat Serdar turned in an equaliser, and both sides also struck the woodwork in an eventful contest.

One of the few Serie A coaches to keep his job this summer, Paolo Zanetti previously escaped embarrassment when his team needed penalties to scrape past Serie C side Audace Cerignola in the Coppa Italia, but they remain undefeated so far.

Soon, Verona will meet regional rivals Venezia in the second round, but first they must face down traditional heavyweights Lazio and Juventus either side of hosting Cremonese.

Lazio Serie A form:

Hellas Verona Serie A form:

Hellas Verona form (all competitions):

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Team News

Having publicly criticised his players for their limp showing against Como, Maurizio Sarri may make changes on Sunday.

One should see Nicolo Rovella reclaim his usual place in midfield: the Italy international was reduced to a cameo role at Stadio Sinigaglia after attending the birth of his daughter.

Samuel Gigot, Gustav Isaksen and Patric are still unavailable, while Matias Vecino is also a doubt; Alessio Romagnoli will be sidelined by suspension.

Supporting Taty Castellanos up front, Lazio skipper Mattia Zaccagni is set to start against his old club, where he started his Serie A career back in 2015; Matteo Cancellieri and Reda Belahyane are also ex-Hellas men.

By contrast with their hosts, who cannot buy players in this window, Verona have been very active in terms of recruitment.

German defender Armel Bella-Kotchap has just arrived from Southampton, and Hoffenheim loanee Gift Orban will bolster the Scaligeri's options in attack.

Fellow signings Victor Nelsson, Unai Nunez and Giovane could feature again, having all started in Udine; only injured pair Tomas Suslov and Nicolas Valentini are ruled out.

Lazio possible starting lineup: Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella, Belahyane; Cancellieri, Castellanos, Zaccagni

Hellas Verona possible starting lineup: Montipo; Nunez, Nelsson, Frese; Oyegoke, Bernede, Serdar, Niasse, Bradaric; Giovane, Sarr