Victory in the Derby della Capitale took the Biancocelesti clear of the Milan clubs and arch-rivals Roma; meanwhile, Monza finished March unbeaten to consolidate gains from earlier in their first Serie A season.
Team News
Lazio
- After being sent off during post-match scuffles in the Derby della Capitale, Adam Marusic will sit out on Sunday’s game. Irregardless, Lazio captain Ciro Immobile is back following injury and should start.
- Immobile and Mattia Zaccagni were omitted from the recent Italy squad for different reasons. But both are the joint-top Italian scorers in Serie A this season. Set to start on the left of a front three once again, Zaccagni is aiming to reach double figures for the first time. On the other hand, Immobile could do so for the eight time in his last nine seasons.
- Manuel Lazzari will be offered an increasingly rare start deputising for Marusix at right-back. Moreover, Matias Vecino is in contention for a midfield spot after missing the Rome Derby.
Monza
- Monza will be without captain as Matteo Pessina joins Armando Izzo on the sidelines.
- Marlon should slot into the hosts’ back three in place of the latter. Meanwhile Samuele Birindelli may return to the right flank allowing Jose Machin to start in the engine room. Nicolo Rovella is not quite ready to return from an ankle problem.
- Leading the line up front, Andrea Petagna has registered four Serie A strikes against Lazio in the past including his first-ever goal in the top flight back in 2016 August.
Possible lineup
Monza: Di Gregorio; Marlon, Mari, Caldirola; Birindelli, Machin, Sensi, Augusto; Ciurria; Caprari, Petagna
Lazio:
Provedel; Lazzari, Casale, Romagnoli, Hysaj; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
Prediction Analysis
Though their rhythm has been interrupted by the international break, Lazio can resume normal service on Sunday afternoon and beat Monza for a second time this season. With Immobile back in the fold, and boasting several other goal threats beside their skipper, Sarri’s men should edge out their hosts.
Our prediction is Monza 1-2 Lazio