Serie A Preview: Lazio Face-off Against Hellas Verona Without Starting Center-Backs

Lazio take on Hellas Verona at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi in Matchday 9 of the 2021/22 Serie A.

Hellas Verona

Verona have a record of 2W-2D-4L (8 points) and sit in 12th place in Serie A after eight fixtures.

In their recent league match against AC Milan, they experienced a disappointing 3-2 loss. The Gialloblu took an early lead through Gianluca Caprari and doubled it thanks to a penalty kick converted by Antonin Barak. However, the Rossoneri would fight back and make the comeback in the second half, scoring three unanswered goals to snatch all three points.

Gianluca Frabotta is the only player that will be unavailable to Igor Tudor for this fixture. The Italian youngster is struggling with calf problems.

Expected Starting Lineup

(3-4-2-1): Lorenzo Montipo; Pawel Dawidowicz, Koray Gunter, Nicolo Casale; Darko Lazovic, Miguel Veloso, Ivan Ilic, Davide Faraoni; Gianluca Caprari, Antonin Barak, Giovanni Simeone.

Player to Watch

Gianluca Caprari has scored three goals and provided two assists in six league matches thus far, including a goal in each of his last two appearances against AC Milan and Spezia. The 28-year-old is deployed as a second striker; despite joining the club this past summer, he seems to have fit right in, being a vital component of the starting lineup.

Lazio

Lazio have a record of 4W-2D-2L (14 points) and sit in fifth place in the top flight of Italian football after eight fixtures.

In their recent match against Olympique de Marseille in the UEFA Europa League, they played out a scoreless draw. Despite defeating the reigning champions in Inter 3-1 before this European clash, they were not able to build off of the performance to secure all three points. This was a cagey but entertaining affair, with both sides having their chances to find the back of the net but failing to do so.

In addition to the suspended Francesco Acerbi and Luiz Felipe, Mattia Zaccagni will be unavailable to Maurizio Sarri for this fixture. The former Verona talent has suffered yet another setback, sustaining a knee injury against Marseille.

Expected Starting Lineup

(4-3-3): Pepe Reina; Manuel Lazzari, Patric, Stefan Radu, Elseid Hysaj; Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva, Toma Basic; Pedro, Ciro Immobile, Felipe Anderson.

Player to Watch

Ciro Immobile has found the back of the net seven times in six appearances against Verona in Serie A since joining Lazio. This includes two braces and a hat-trick; he will look to add to this tally and remain at the top of the scoring leaderboard.

Match Prediction

Verona have won just one of their previous 11 matches against Lazio in Serie A. Furthermore, they have not been able to secure a home victory against the Biancocelesti in their previous four meetings.

However, Lazio have not only failed to keep a clean sheet this season but have also have failed to find the back of the net in five of their last seven away matches.

Hellas Verona 2-2 Lazio