Lazio return to Serie A action against Lecce on Wednesday afternoon looking for the win which could move the club into second place in the standings.
Meanwhile, the home side are looking to build on their potential season-defining period before the World Cup, one which moved the club clear of the relegation zone.
Match preview
© Reuters
With nine wins from 15 matches and possessing the second-best defensive record in the division, Maurizio Sarri can have few complaints with Lazio's domestic season thus far.
However, six of the 11 goals shipped in Serie A during 2022-23 came in two defeats against Salernitana and Juventus before the World Cup, and just five victories have been posted in 11 games in all competitions.
After a hectic schedule, Sarri may have been happy to have such a lengthy break to reset as they bid to capitalise on the inconsistencies of the teams around them.
That said, Lazio also fall into that bracket, and I Biancocelesti can potentially drop level on points with the teams occupying sixth and seventh if they lose out at Stadio Via del mare on Wednesday.
Lazio had been unbeaten in six Serie A away encounters before they succumbed tamely to Juventus in Turin in their final game before the World Cup.
© Reuters
In their first season back in Italy's top flight, Lecce won just one of their first 13 games, an indication that a battle with relegation looked most likely.
Successive wins over Atalanta BC and Sampdoria have gone a long way to changing that perception, however, and they now have their sights on moving into the mid-table positions.
Marco Baroni's side have only lost twice at their home ground this season, those defeats coming by one-goal margins to Inter Milan and Juventus respectively.
Just eight goals have been conceded in seven outings on familiar territory, and they are yet to ship more than twice in a single contest since the middle of August.
Team News
© Reuters
Baroni has recently revealed that he has a fully-fit squad to choose from and an unchanged Lecce XI is likely to be named.
However, Lameck Banda will feel that he is well placed to earn a recall after netting as a substitute versus Sampdoria last time out.
While Lazio are also not believed to be dealing with any injury issues, Sarri will contemplate changes on the back of the loss at Juventus.
Ciro Immobile is fit again and will start down the middle of the attack, while Mattia Zaccagni is also in line to return in the final third.
Matias Vecino and Luis Alberto are options in midfield, with Manuel Lazzari a potential inclusion at right-back.
Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Gendrey, Baschirotto, Umtiti, Gallo; Blin, Hjulmand, Gonzalez; Strefezza, Ceesay, Francesco
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Lazzari, Casale, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi; Vecino; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
We say: Lecce 1-3 Lazio
Given the level of their wins before the World Cup, Lecce will be eager to build on their growing momentum in the race to avoid relegation. However, Lazio would have been happy to have a break from action, and a refreshed side should have too much in the final third for their hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
