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In the race for an unexpected spot in next season's Champions League, Lazio are aiming for a full haul of points as they face Empoli, who are fighting against relegation, this coming Sunday.
Lazio have managed to stay within striking distance of the top six in Italy with three victories out of their last four matches. Meanwhile, Empoli arrives at the Stadio Olimpico with their Serie A status hanging by a thread.
Sitting in seventh place in the Serie A standings, Lazio is making a push for a European berth, fueled by their recent resurgence under new leadership. They currently trail Atalanta BC and local rivals Roma by six points with three matches remaining.
Despite stumbling in their previous outing against Monza, where they were held to a draw after conceding a last-minute equalizer despite goals from Ciro Immobile and Matias Vecino, Lazio has been formidable since Igor Tudor took the reins at the end of March.
Under Tudor's guidance, Lazio has secured victories in four out of six league encounters, matching their total from the previous ten matches, and have notably kept clean sheets in three of those games.
Empoli faces uncertainty as they head to the capital this weekend, with their Serie A status hanging in the balance. However, if they aim to secure an unexpected victory and snatch crucial points for their Tuscan base, they must inscribe a new chapter in the annals of the club's history.
The Azzurri have yet to conquer Lazio on their turf in Serie A, having attempted it 13 times before, suffering defeat on nine occasions and settling for a draw in four instances.
Recent performance trends hint at the daunting task awaiting Davide Nicola's squad as they strive to break this pattern. They've struggled to find the net in seven of their last nine matches, exemplified by their goalless stalemate against fellow strugglers Frosinone last week.
Empoli has faced a goal drought since the start of March, surpassing all other teams in Europe's top five leagues in this regard. Despite this challenge, they cling precariously above the relegation zone, holding a slim two-point lead.
Nicola, known for his adeptness at steering troubled teams away from the brink, has yet to replicate this success in Empoli's away performances. Their last four away games have seen them suffer defeats without finding the back of the net, showcasing a glaring deficiency in their resilience on the road.
They have since won four straight games at home, including a meaningless Coppa Italia triumph against Juventus, and they have once again made Stadio Olimpico a threatening stronghold.
Lazio's turnaround has put them in a good position to at least qualify for the Europa Conference League; but, a fifth-place finish would guarantee a Champions League participation for the team for a second year running.
Tudor's club still has to play Inter Milan, the reigning champions, and struggling Sassuolo, but first they have to play Empoli, whom they have defeated in both of their previous games without giving up a goal.
Lazio manager Igor Tudor has received positive news regarding his defensive lineup, as Nicolo Casale and Patric have rejoined training sessions. Additionally, there's a possibility of Spanish defender Mario Gila being available for selection on the substitutes' bench.
Primary goalkeeper Ivan Provedel has recovered from his injury as well, though Tudor has hinted at retaining Christos Mandas in goal for the upcoming match against Empoli. Provedel's return is expected for the following week's fixture against Inter.
In the attacking department, team captain Ciro Immobile and Taty Castellanos are in contention for the leading striker role. Notably, neither player has managed to score double-digit goals in Serie A this season.
Empoli, on the other hand, continues to face injury concerns with Alberto Cerri, Tyronne Ebuehi, and Sebastian Walukiewicz all sidelined. Without Cerri, M'Baye Niang is likely to maintain his position in the starting lineup, with experienced forward Francesco Caputo potentially making an impact off the bench.
Empoli's defensive setup is anchored by Sebastiano Luperto, who has accumulated the highest number of minutes played among Serie A defenders this season, totaling 3,150 minutes of game time.
