Prediction: Lazio vs Cagliari

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: 888sport

After recording seven wins from eight games in all competitions, Lazio aim to continue in that vein on Monday, when they welcome Cagliari to Stadio Olimpico.

While the Biancocelesti are riding high in the Serie A standings, their Sardinian counterparts have won just twice in the league this season.

Lazio

Lazio ended an impressive October with a Halloween win, as the capital club excels in both Serie A and the Europa League.

Currently leading their Europa League group with three victories in three games, Marco Baroni’s squad is also challenging Italy’s top four after a strong domestic streak.

Taty Castellanos bagged a brace, and veteran Pedro netted again as the Biancocelesti overpowered Como in a 5-1 victory at Stadio Olimpico.

In their last eight games, they’ve suffered just one loss, winning the rest and averaging 2.75 goals per match, validating the board’s debated decision to appoint Baroni.

Going back to last season, Lazio are unbeaten in 10 Serie A home games, winning the last three before Cagliari visits the Olimpico. With wins in 11 of the last 12 Rome meetings and 27 goals scored, both current form and history favor them in this contest.

Team News

Baroni is set to have key midfielder Nicolo Rovella back, as he has quickly recovered from the muscle issue that kept him out of Thursday’s win over Como.

However, Patric and Matteo Guendouzi remain slight doubts, while Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni is still uncertain after a severe bout of gastroenteritis that sidelined him for two games; Serie A assist leader Nuno Tavares will be absent due to suspension.

With a Europa League match against Porto ahead, Baroni may opt to rest Taty Castellanos and bring in Boulaye Dia, who has contributed to five league goals this season and scored twice in his only previous appearance against Cagliari.

Cagliari

Cagliari remain winless in 18 league games against Lazio since May 2013, so expectations will be modest on Monday evening.

In contrast to their hosts’ good form, the Rossoblu have failed to score in six of their first 10 matches this season, matching their worst Serie A start in this regard for 34 years.

After a brief upturn with seven points from three games, Cagliari ended October poorly. Last week, Davide Nicola’s team suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Bologna, just days after another 2-0 loss to Udinese, pushing them further down the standings.

Ahead of their Coppa Italia tie with Juventus next month, they face a tough league stretch: following Lazio, games against AC Milan, Fiorentina, and Atalanta await.

Team News

Cagliari welcome back Antoine Makoumbou from suspension, and he may step directly into the visitors’ midfield at Stadio Olimpico.

After recently benching Zito Luvumbo, Davide Nicola might opt to pair Roberto Piccoli with support striker Nicolas Viola once more.

Conclusion

Given their current form, Lazio should comfortably overcome a lacklustre Cagliari side at home, where they are especially hard to beat.

The hosts boast several attacking options, each as dangerous as the next one, while their struggling opponents average less than a goal per match. The writing appears to be on the wall for Cagliari in this game.

Verdict: Home win

Best odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: 888sport