After a humbling home defeat earlier this week, Lazio must try to get back on track at Stadio Via del Mare, as they visit Lecce for Serie A's Saturday night contest.
Hit for six by Inter Milan last time out, the Biancocelesti saw their unlikely title challenge suffer a major setback, while Lecce prevailed in an important survival clash with Monza.
Match preview
© Imago
Aiming to build on beating Napoli twice - and then Ajax in the Europa League - Lazio went into Monday's game against Inter full of confidence, amid talk that they could even contend for the Scudetto.
However, the reigning champions instead taught them a harsh lesson at Stadio Olimpico, as Marco Baroni's men found themselves on the receiving end of a chastening 6-0 defeat, in which they conceded four goals after the break.
Having previously orchestrated a superb start to the season on three fronts - Serie A, Europe and the Coppa Italia - Baroni took full responsibility for his team's unexpected implosion.
It was also a rare setback in Rome, where they had dropped only two points, and Lazio's defence has suddenly come under scrutiny - they have shipped nine goals in their last three league matches; as many as throughout the previous 10.
Nonetheless, the Biancocelesti still sit inside Italy's top five approaching the halfway stage, while they are firmly on course for a place in the Europa League's last 16 and have already booked a spot in the cup quarter-finals.
Having won 53% of their top-flight meetings with Lecce to date, they will now head south to Salento as strong favourites - but perhaps with a point to prove.
© Imago
Setting a best-ever streak in Serie A - with the help of former coach Baroni - Lecce have won all of their last three home games against Lazio, and each by the same 2-1 scoreline.
That was also the outcome of last week's match against Monza at Via del Mare, so the Salentini will now seek back-to-back league wins for the first time since April.
Scorer of the deciding goal on Sunday, after bouncing back from missing an early penalty, Montenegrin striker Nikola Krstovic has found the net twice from his last six shots, having scored two times with his previous 57 - a sure sign that Lecce's luck is changing.
The Giallorossi have certainly experienced an upturn under new coach Marco Giampaolo, notably notching at least once in each of their last five outings, after producing just four goals from the first 11 this season.
Also unbeaten in four home fixtures, Giampaolo's side have climbed out of the relegation zone amid a congested lower half of the table, and pulling further clear would be the perfect gift in their final game before Christmas.
Team News
© Imago
Contributing to their demise on Monday, Lazio lost both Samuel Gigot and Mario Gila due to injury against Inter, but the two centre-backs have since recovered and could play this weekend.
Boulaye Dia is expected to overcome an ankle issue, too, but Alessio Romagnoli (knee) and Matias Vecino (muscular) remain doubts.
To the relief of Marco Baroni, top scorer Taty Castellanos returns after serving a suspension. Integral to the team since Ciro Immobile left last summer, Lazio's Serie A win percentage is 20% without the Argentinian this season, rising to 55% with him on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Lecce's main marksman is trigger-happy striker Nikola Krstovic, who has attempted the most shots (63) of any player in Italy's top flight this term.
Defensive duo Kialonda Gaspar and Antonino Gallo are still sidelined by injury, joining Lameck Banda in the treatment room, but Balthazar Pierret has returned to full training and may make the bench.
On the radar of several big clubs around Europe, versatile wide man Patrick Dorgu should fill in for Gallo at left-back.
Lecce possible starting lineup:
Falcone; Guilbert, Baschirotto, Jean, Dorgu; Coulibaly, Berisha, Rafia; Pierotti, Krstovic, Morente
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Gila, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos
We say: Lecce 1-3 Lazio
Lazio have both won and lost half of their Serie A away games this season, but they are more than capable of improving that record at Lecce's expense.
Responding to an awful collapse on Monday, Marco Baroni can get the better of his old club and boost the Biancocelesti's push for a top-four finish.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
