Lazio
Torino
2 March 2021
17:30 UK/ 18:30 CET
Serie A
Stadio Olimpico
After dropping two points in a 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona, Juventus will be looking to keep their Scudetto hopes alive when they host Spezia at their Allianz Stadium.
The Bianconeri are ten points behind league leaders Inter, meaning that this has to go down as a must-win game for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.
All Arthur, Dybala, Bonucci, Chiellini, and Cuadrado are likely to miss the game through injuries.
Spezia, on the other hand, are on the right track to secure the Serie A survival, but they will have to be at their sharpest in the remainder of the season if they are to meet the goal.
Vincenzo Italiano’s troops have been producing fine displays on the travels this season, but given the importance of the match for Andrea Pirlo’s troops, home win should be considered.
The likes of Rafael, Pobega, and Saponara are sidelined with injuries for the visitors.
Lazio vs Torino Head-to-head
Teams Lazio Torino played so far 32 matches.
Lazio won 16 direct matches. Torino won 6 matches. 10 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.91 goals per Match.
Lazio vs Torino Prediction
Lazio in actual season average scored 1.73 goals per match. In 17 (80.95%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 14 (66.67%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Torino average scored 1.52 goals per match in season 2021. In 10 (76.92%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 8 (61.54%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Torino's lengthy list of quarantining absentees includes captain Andrea Belotti, wing-back Wilfried Singo and central-defender Bremer, plus Alessandro Buongiorno, Nicola Murru, Karol Linetty, Daniele Baselli and former Cameroon captain Nicolas Nkoulou.
Head coach Davide Nicola's preparations have inevitably been thrown into disarray by the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent suspension of training, so - if the game goes ahead - his task in fielding a competitive XI will be a tall one. There is even some speculation that primavera players may be required to make up the numbers on Tuesday.
If available, Rolando Mandragora would be expected to continue in midfield, having taken the place of Linetty in recent games following his arrival on loan from city rivals Juventus. Meanwhile, Simone Verdi and Federico Bonazzoli would compete to join current incumbent Simone Zaza up front, deputising for leading man Belotti.
Lazio have first-choice defenders Stefan Radu and Luiz Felipe out through injury, so Wesley Hoedt and Patric are set to continue in the back three, though Mateo Musacchio - who featured in the disastrous display versus Bayern - is also an option.
Wing-back Manuel Lazzari returned from suspension to reclaim his spot in Simone Inzaghi's familiar 3-5-2 formation at the weekend, while Gonzalo Escalante now also comes back from a ban to contend with Lucas Leiva for a midfield spot.
Following his penalty miss at Dall'Ara, Capocannoniere Ciro Immobile has scored only once in his past five matches, but should start alongside his favoured foil Joaquin Correa in attack - despite Inzaghi talking of rotating his resources after the Bologna defeat.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Reina; Patric, Hoedt, Acerbi; Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Escalante, Alberto, Marusic; Immobile, Correa
Torino possible starting lineup:
Sirigu; Izzo, Lyanco, Rodriguez; Vojvoda, Lukic, Mandragora, Rincon, Ansaldi; Verdi, Zaza