Preview: Lazio vs. Spezia - prediction, team news, lineups

Champions League hopefuls Lazio host Spezia at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday afternoon, hoping to win their eighth successive home game in Serie A for the first time since 1999 under former boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Meanwhile, the visitors, who currently occupy 15th position in Italy's top flight, are looking to win their sixth league game since the turn of the year.

Match preview

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After a run of three league defeats from four games and losing ground in the race for European qualification, Lazio have since won back-to-back Serie A matches against Crotone and most recently Udinese.

A 37th-minute strike from Adam Marusic was enough to seal all three points at the Stadio Friuli just before the international break, moving the Aquile one point behind city rivals Roma in sixth and six points behind the top four.

Lazio have only ever faced Spezia twice before in their history, winning both meetings away from home including December's 2-1 victory.

The Aquile are unbeaten in their last 29 home games against newly-promoted sides in the top-flight, keeping 18 clean sheets in the process.

Simone Inzaghi's side still have to face Napoli, AC Milan and rivals Roma later this season so securing three points on Saturday would help in their quest to qualify for the top four.

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Spezia's hopes of avoiding the drop in their first ever Serie A campaign were given a huge boost when they secured a 2-1 victory against Cagliari just before the international break.

Goals from Roberto Piccoli and Giulio Maggiore put the Bianconeri into a two-goal lead, and although Gaston Pereiro's late strike made it a nervy finish for the hosts, they managed to hold on for their seventh win of the season.

Vincenzo Italiano's side remain in 15th but are crucially seven points clear of the relegation zone with 10 games left to play.

Spezia travel to the Italian capital having lost five of their six away league matches against sides currently in the top-seven.

A surprise victory on Saturday would be the Bianconeri's fifth on the road this season and could see them move three points behind 10th-placed Sampdoria.

Team News

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Lazio midfielder Luis Alberto will undergo medical examinations on an ankle problem before Saturday but is expected to miss the game with Spezia.

The Spaniard suffered the injury in training on Wednesday after receiving a strong challenge from defender Nicolo Armini.

Defenders Luiz Felipe (ankle) and Mohamed Fares (knee) are also unavailable for selection with injuries.

Forwards Joaquin Correa and Felipe Caicedo are hoping to earn their place back in the starting lineup ahead of Vedat Muriqi, who has begun the last two matches.

Spezia trio Nahuel Estevez, Ivan Provedel and Juan Ramos all remain out after testing positive for coronavirus, while Federico Mattiello (fatigue) and Riccardo Saponara (ankle) are also unavailable for selection.

Italiano is unlikely to make too many changes to his first XI but could start top scorer M'Bala Nzola ahead of Piccoli up front, while winger Daniele Verde may also feature at the expense of Diego Farias.

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Reina; Patric, Acerbi, Radu; Lazzari, Escalante, Leiva, Milinkovic-Savic, Marusic; Correa, Immobile

Spezia possible starting lineup:

Zoet; Vignali, Ismajili, Erlic, Bastoni; Pobega, Ricci, Maggiore; Verde, Nzola, Gyasi

We say: Lazio 2-1 Spezia

Lazio will be keen to build on their victories over Crotone and Udinese as they bid to stay in contention for a return to European competition next season.

However, Spezia will be no pushovers on Saturday and could to make it a difficult afternoon for the hosts. Having said that, the Aquile should have enough quality, even with the absence of Alberto, to secure all three points at the Stadio Olimpico.