Prediction: Frosinone vs Lazio

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: Unibet

Following Maurizio Sarri’s resignation, Lazio is determined to kickstart their recovery in what has been a challenging season as they travel to face Frosinone on Saturday.

With a potential loss to their regional rivals, the Rome club faces the risk of dropping into the bottom half of the Serie A standings. Frosinone, meanwhile, is entrenched in a fight for survival in the top flight.

Frosinone

When Lazio and Frosinone last faced off at the end of the previous year, both teams were in better form. However, since then, Frosinone’s performance has taken a drastic downturn.

The Canarini, after a string of setbacks, find themselves in the relegation zone for the first time this season, despite a promising start upon their return to the top flight.

With a squad featuring several talented loanees, last season’s Serie B champions were competitive for a top-half finish in the autumn months. However, following a 1-0 loss to fellow strugglers Sassuolo last week, they now trail 17th-placed Empoli by a point.

Since mid-December, Frosinone have accumulated the fewest points – just five from 13 games – and conceded the most goals, a worrying trend for the club.

Under the helm of head coach Eusebio Di Francesco, who is feeling the pressure to deliver results, especially after a recent defeat to one of his former clubs, the ex-Roma manager and midfielder will be eager to secure a victory against Lazio this weekend, though that obviously won’t be an easy task.

Team News

Di Francesco faces a significant challenge as he deals with a lengthy list of absences. Mateus Lusuardi, Anthony Oyono, Abdou Harroui, Kevin Bonifazi, and Riccardo Marchizza are all set to be unavailable.

Additionally, left-back Emanuele Valeri is battling an ankle issue, meaning Pol Lirola is likely to deputize in the host’s defensive line. In the attacking third, either Napoli loanee Walid Cheddira or Juventus-owned Kaio Jorge is expected to receive support from the team’s leading scorer, Matias Soule.

Lazio

After suffering a surprising 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Udinese on Monday, Maurizio Sarri took a dramatic step by tendering his resignation to the Lazio board, bringing an end to his mixed tenure in the Italian capital.

Less than a week following their Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich, Sarri cited a lack of support from his players as he stepped down, leaving his assistant Giovanni Martusciello to take charge of the team at the Stadio Stirpe.

The extent of Martusciello’s tenure remains uncertain, with questions lingering over whether he will lead the team through the remaining 10 Serie A matches of the season and the two-legged Coppa Italia semi-final against Juventus. The one thing that seems beyond debate is, Martusciello has inherited a team mired in crisis.

With four consecutive losses in all competitions, the Biancocelesti are on the brink of suffering five straight defeats for the first time since 1985. Previously known for their strong defensive organization, Lazio now struggle at both ends of the pitch.

In 2024, Lazio have registered the fewest shot attempts in Serie A, while only Sassuolo and Salernitana have faced more attempts at their goal. This combination has led to a decline in their league position, and sitting ninth with a seven-point deficit compared to sixth-place Atalanta, the possibility of not qualifying for Europe next season looms pretty real.

Despite these challenges, Lazio now have the opportunity to start afresh post-Sarri as they face a club they have yet to lose to in Serie A. Having won four out of five previous meetings with Frosinone, they will look to capitalize on this record.

Team News

Martusciello’s initial Lazio squad will be without first-choice goalkeeper Ivan Provedel, sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained against Udinese. Consequently, Christos Mandas is poised to make a rare appearance in goal on Sunday.

On a positive note, Matteo Guendouzi returns to action following a reduction in his two-game suspension. He will be joined by Adam Marusic and Luca Pellegrini, who were also dismissed against AC Milan earlier this month. However, midfielder Nicolo Rovella will be unavailable due to a groin injury.

The selection dilemma up front sees Ciro Immobile and Taty Castellanos vying for a starting role. Castellanos notably scored Lazio’s only headed league goal of the season in December’s reverse fixture—a 3-1 victory for the Rome club. Nonetheless, he is more likely to begin the match on the bench.

Conclusion

While Frosinone have accumulated 21 of their 24 points at Stadio Stirpe, the majority of these points were earned before Christmas.

Despite Lazio facing internal challenges, the Biancocelesti are expected to rebound under new management and capitalize on their hosts’ recent poor form.

Verdict: Away win

Best odds: 23/20

Bookmaker: Unibet