Lazio (4) will host Fiorentina (14) in matchday 25 encounter of the 2011/12 Serie A on Sunday, February 26th at 19:45 GMT.
Fiorentina, worn out by defeats against Bologna and Napoli and battered by injuries, will look to survive the onslaught of Lazio. The Biancazzurri will also be looking to improve on their slipping form amidst injuries, and coach
Edy Reja’s unresolved position.
With the Biancocelesti out of the Europa League, the team will now focus on the league, and will look to strengthen their charge for a top-three finish.
The two teams, though not equally matched, are witnessing a similar fate with Lazio having lost to Atletico Madrid and Palermo, while Fiorentina suffering defeats at the hands of Napoli and Bologna in the recent matches.
Lazio
Edy Reja’s men have played 12 games at Stadio Olimpico Rome this season, winning six, drawning four and losing the other two matches at home.
Lazio may have trodden A.C Milan and Atlanta at home recently, but things have changed quickly for Biancocelesti, as they are surrounded by host of on and off the field issues. Uncertainty surrounds Edy Reja’s disapproved resignation,
while the club’s hopes of a UEFA Champions League qualification spot are fast diminishing amidst consecutive losses.
The team will be looking at the Fiorentina clash as a perfect opportunity to turn things around, and look to move upwards in the points table.
Fiorentina
Fiorentina have been in abysmal form away from home this season, having won only one of the 11 games on their travels.
Their only victory on the road has come against relegation struck Novara. La Viola, who have one of the worst scoring records away from home, will be hoping to avoid another defeat.
Team News
Lazio
The side will be missing the services of Andre Dias and Matuzalem who are out through suspension. The capital side is also facing a plethora of injury problems.
Expected Starting Line-up: (4-3-1-2): Marchetti, Konko, Diakite, Biava, Lulic, Gonzalez, Ledesma, Candreva, Hernanes, Alfaro, Klose
Fiorentina
Delio Rossi’s men are facing grave injury problems at a time when they least needed it. The Gigliati will be missing the services of suspended trio, Mattia Cassani, Alessandro Gamberini and Rubin Olivera.
Houssine Kharja, Per Kroldrup, Valon Behrami and Manuel Pasqual face lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Expected Starting Lineup: Boruc, Nastasic, Natali, Felipe, De Silvestri, Behrami, Montolivo, Lazzari, Vargas, Amauri, Jovetic
Players to Watch
Cristian Daniel Ledesma (Lazio)
The Lazio side will need an experienced player to step up and fill the void left by injuries and suspensions. The deep-lying midfielder will be the key in the midfield battle, and his partnership with Miroslav Klose has been a
treat to watch this season.
Stevan Jovetić (Fiorentina)
Fiorentina have not won a game in which Stevan Jovetić has not scored since October 2011. While there is a debate going on in the club about the player’s best position, the Montenegrin will be the pivot of attack for the Gigliati
in the upcoming clash with Lazio.
Prediction:
The odds may favour Lazio, but the match will be a case of which team shows the better ability to overcome their internal challenges. The Fiorentina side can come in strong if they manage to resolve the positional issues with Stevan
Jovetić, whose importance to the outcome of the game cannot be undermined. However, the Biancazzurri have more venom in their attack to get all three points from the game.
Verdict: 2-0
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