Cagliari-Lazio is a match valid for the 24th day of Serie A and is played on Saturday at 3 p.m.: odds, predictions, live TV, streaming.
Since the heavy defeat against Inter in the Italian Super Cup, Lazio has scraped together only one point in its two direct clashes with Napoli (0-0) and Atalanta (3-1), from which it came out strongly downsized. The Biancocelesti are struggling in all respects: fourth place is still within reach – Atalanta has five more points – but at the moment Immobile and his teammates do not have the same pace as other direct competitors and without a turnaround the risk is to fall too far behind again.
Do you need some graft in the last January market? Likely. Maurizio Sarri has not said so openly but appeared far from satisfied with a buying campaign that, on balance, brought no one. The Tuscan coach also seems bewildered: the brilliant Lazio of last year, the one that finished second behind Italian champion Napoli at the end of the season, is a distant memory for now. The game is lacking and this was clearly seen last Sunday in Bergamo, where for Gasperini’s Dea was superior in everything. The Biancocelesti, before the upcoming first leg of the Champions League round of 16 with Bayern Munich, will face another away match: they will be on the scene in Cagliari against Claudio Ranieri’s Rossoblù, who are coming off three consecutive defeats. After knockouts with Frosinone and Torino, the Sardinians foundered at the Stadio Olimpico with Roma (4-0), remaining third-last in the standings. Of particular concern is a defense that has cashed in a total of 9 goals in the last three games and has only once since September kept its goal unbeaten.
Cagliari-Lazio: the latest lineup news
Luvumbo is back from his commitments with Angola in the African Cup of Nations and should start from 1′ alongside Petagna, preferred to Lapadula. Ranieri is expected to confirm the three-man defense, with Mina in the center and Dossena and Wieteska on his flanks. On the flanks Zappa and Azzi. Out are Sulemana, Shomurodov, Oristanio and Mancosu.
Immobile, after getting unblocked in Bergamo, should win this time in the ballot with Castellanos, although Sarri will probably have to do without Zaccagni again, still struggling with a foot problem: possible confirmation for Isaksen. In defense there is Gila, while Cataldi will replace the disqualified Rovella.
The prediction
Lazio have always returned to Rome with the three points in their last four visits to the Sardinian capital, where they have not lost in more than 10 years. The Biancocelesti will try to turn things around but it won’t be easy as Cagliari also wants to fight back in addition to desperately needing salvation points. The Capitoline attack, disappointing against Napoli and Atalanta, should still be able to break free against a defense that is rarely not perforated: yes, the best option seems to be the “goal” sign.
The probable lineups of Cagliari-Lazio
CAGLIARI (3-5-2): Scuffet; Wieteska, Mina, Dossena; Zappa, Nandez, Makoumbou, Prati, Azzi; Luvumbo, Petagna.
LAZIO (4-3-3): Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Isaksen, Immobile, Felipe Anderson.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
