Serie A Preview | Lazio vs. Fiorentina: Sarri under pressure

This is an intriguing battle of 4-3-3 tacticians, but Maurizio Sarri is under pressure after another loss that saw Lazio placed into a training retreat.

The Aquile are frustratingly inconsistent, able to beat Roma and Inter, then suffer heavy three-goal margin defeats to Bologna and Hellas Verona. Sarri insists the issue is one of mentality rather than fatigue, which is why the squad was put into a training retreat to better prepare for this match. It will be his 200th Serie A game as a coach.

There is a boost with the return of Francesco Acerbi and Luiz Felipe from suspension, but Luis Alberto should again be dropped for Toma Basic.

Fiorentina made short work of Cagliari in a 3-0 victory, including Dusan Vlahovic free kick and inspired performance from Riccardo Saponara, who should retain his spot in the trident attack. Vincenzo Italiano has the Viola playing exciting football in a similar style to Sarri, so this may well be an open and entertaining match.

Form Guide: Lazio (L W L W D) Fiorentina (W L L W L)

Stat fact: Lazio could go the opening 10 Serie A rounds without a clean sheet, something they only managed in 1934-35 and 1948-49.

Probable line-ups

Lazio (4-3-3): Reina; Marusic, Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Hysaj; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Basic; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Pedro

Suspended: None

Injured: Zaccagni

On a yellow card: None

Fiorentina (4-3-3): Terracciano; Odriozola, Milenkovic, Martinez-Quarta, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Torreira, Duncan; Gonzalez, Vlahovic, Saponara

Suspended: None

Injured: Dragowski, Pulgar

On a yellow card: Bonaventura, Odriozola