18 September 2021, 18:37 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
The Italian Serie A TIM fixture, S.S. Lazio vs. Cagliari Calcio, kicks off at 17:00 (GMT+1) on Sunday, September 19 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Preview Lazio Serie A, Sep 19, 2021
Preview Lazio return to Serie A action after a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in Thursday's Europa League fixture at the Türk Telekom Arena. On Matchday 3, Lazio came into the game against AC Milan unbeaten but were humbled in a 2-0 defeat at the San Siro which subsequently ended their fine start to the season. At the stroke of half-time, the Croatian international Ante Rebic provided an assist for Raphael Leao (45') who controlled the ball in the box before picking a spot to put Milan in the lead. Minutes later, Lazio conceded a penalty after a handball was detected in the box. However, the crossbar came to the rescue for the visitors as Kessie failed to convert from 12-yards. Minutes later, Ante Rebic provided another assist, this time for the second-half substitute, Zlatan (66'), who bagged Milan's second goal and condemned Lazio to defeat. The loss left Lazio dropping down to 7th place with 6 points after three games: 2W, 0D & 1L (WWL). Maurizio Sarri will be in the stands for this game after he was shown the red in the game against AC Milan. The 62-year-old could leave behind the instructions for a 4—3—3 formation against Cagliari. Felipe Anderson, Ciro Immobile, and Pedro are all expected to form part of the attack. An historical assessment reveals Lazio have won 13 of their last 14 league home games while having one draw on the sheet. They have also scored 35 goals and kept seven clean sheets during that time period. Lazio will be without Bobby Adekanye, who is currently sidelined with a meniscus injury.
Preview Cagliari Serie A, Sep 19, 2021
Preview Another defeat on Matchday 4 will see Cagliari equal the 2004/05 season record of first four Serie A league games without a win. On Matchday 3, Cagliari lost to Genoa 3-2 on home soil, leaving them in 17th place with only one point after three games, with two ending in defeats 0W, 1D & 2L. The club has conceded 9 goals so far and has a G.D. of -5 and a form that reads DLL. Walter Mazzarri is still looking for his first Serie A victory of the season, but doing so on the trip to the Stadio Olimpico appears to be a tall order, and he may have to settle for a point. The 59-year-old is expected to adopt the 3—5—2 formation with Joao Pedro and Balde in attack. Cagliari could be without their right-back, Paolo Farago, and center-back, Diego Godin.