This could be Vladimir Petkovic’s last game on the Lazio bench and he has Miroslav Klose back from the start against Livorno.
This could be Vladimir Petkovic’s last game on the Lazio bench and he has Miroslav Klose back from the start against Livorno.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 14.00 GMT, click here for a match preview.
The Aquile are without a Serie A victory since October 27 and dropped to just four points clear of Livorno – who are in the relegation zone.
They were jeered off the field on Thursday after a 0-0 draw with Trabzonspor that qualified them second in their Europa League group.
If they fail to win today, against a Livorno side that has lost its last 16 visits to Rome and won only in 1943, then it could well be curtains for Petkovic.
He has to do without the injured Bruno Pereirinha and Alvaro Gonzalez, plus long-term banned Stefano Mauri.
Keita Balde is in the stands as punishment after the 18-year-old talent reportedly had a locker room row with a teammate in yesterday’s training session.
Klose returns for his first start since suffering a shoulder injury a month ago, having played as a late substitute in Europe on Thursday.
He is supported by Ederson, but Cristian Ledesma is on the bench.
Livorno held Milan to a 2-2 draw last week, but are without a victory in four rounds and lie in the bottom three.
Incredibly, they are still only four points adrift of Lazio, so a shock win here would really put the cat among the pigeons.
Paulinho again partners Luca Siligardi with Innocent Emeghara ready to come off the bench.
Lazio: Marchetti; Konko, Dias, Cana, Radu; Candreva, Biglia, Hernanes, Lulic; Ederson, Klose
Lazio bench: Strakosha, Guerrieri, Cavanda, Ciani, Novaretti, Biava, Vinicius, Ledesma, Onazi, Felipe Anderson, Floccari, Perea
Livorno: Bardi; Schiattarella, Coda, Emerson, Ceccherini, Mbaye; Luci, Biagianti, Duncan; Siligardi; Paulinho
Livorno bench: Anania, Aldegani, Rinaudo, Gemiti, Lambrughi, Valentini, Belingheri, Benassi, Greco, Mosquera, Borja, Emeghara