The first of four fixtures to be played in the Italian Serie A on the 14th of January takes place at the Stadio Olimpico as Lazio meet Lecce.
The hosts begin the weekend in 6th place on 30 points while the visitors are in 12th place on 21 points.
FT | #LazioRoma 1-0SIAMO IN SEMIFINALE! IL DERBY È NOSTRO!#CMonEagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/RHSa7h8smc— S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) January 10, 2024
FT | #LazioRoma 1-0SIAMO IN SEMIFINALE! IL DERBY È NOSTRO!#CMonEagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/RHSa7h8smc
Lazio come into the game having beat Roma 1-0 at home in the Coppa Italia quarter final.
It was a huge result in the Derby della Capitale for Lazio and they knocked out their city rivals thanks to a goal in the 51st minute. There were three players sent off at the end of the match, including one for Lazio.
The victory over Roma means Lazio have won each of their 4 most recent fixtures in all competitions.
There have been wins at Empoli and Udinese plus at home against Forsinone in Serie A.
Trends show Lazio are undefeated in 8 of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
They have an excellent recent home record and Lazio have lost only 1 of their 13 most recent home games in all competitions.
In terms of Serie A, Lazio are undefeated in 7 of their last 8 matches on home soil but only once have they managed to score more than a single goal in their 5 most recent home Serie A fixtures.
Lecce make the trip to the Stadio Olimpico on the back of a 1-1 draw at home with Cagliari last time out in Serie A.
It was Lecce who opened the scoring in the 31st minute to lead 1-0 at half time. Into the second half and Cagliari scored the equaliser in the 68th minute to take a point.
The draw at home with Cagliari means Lecce have won only 1 of their 15 most recent fixtures in all competitions, which is a disappointing record.
The win came at home over Forsinone in Serie A but there have been defeats against Napoli and Torino at home plus and Juventus, Roma, Inter Milan, and Atalanta away in the league.
Trends show Lecce are in an unfortunate period, having won just 4 of their last 24 away matches in Serie A.
They have failed to win any of their last 9 league games on the road but have lost by no more than a single goal in 11 of their last 12 away Serie A fixtures.
Looking ahead to the team news and Lazio have doubts over the fitness of striker Ciro Immobile. He is the only major concern for the hosts.
Lecce travel without Hamza Rafia, Ahmed Touba, and Lameck Banda who are all on international duty. Nicola Sansone and Kastriot Dermaku are both injured.
Lazio are in good form and they have been difficult to beat at home although they are not winning matches comfortably.
Lecce have a poor away record in Serie A but they are rarely beaten by more than a single goal. That suggests we could see a narrow 1 goal margin of victory for Lazio, with both teams scoring.