Lazio vs Empoli

Lazio’s 2022 Serie A action gets underway at the Stadio Olimpico as they welcome the division’s surprise package Empoli in a mid-table clash.

Back-to-back 3-1 wins over Genoa and Venezia to finalize 2021 on a high leaves Lazio with realistic hopes of returning in contention for a top-four finish come May. Sat seven points adrift of fourth-placed Atalanta, though, ‘I Biancocelesti’ must find the way to stay on the upward trajectory and overcome an indifferent three-match form on home soil (W1, D1, L1). On the bright side, they have won each of their last six top-flight meetings with Empoli in a row, including a come-from-behind 3-1 win on the opening matchday of the season. Moreover, they have kept four clean sheets during that six-game sequence, which contrasts their recent defensive return. Maurizio Sarri’s men have conceded at least once in their last seven Serie A outings, letting an average of 2.14 goals per game.

As for ninth-placed Empoli, an action-packed 4-2 home defeat to AC Milan to end 2021 halted their run of five Serie A matches without losing (W3, D2), but they are still enjoying mid-table comforts heading into the new calendar year. Despite winning just once in their last four Serie A away fixtures (D2, L1), the newly-promoted visitors have shown they are no pushovers, as their lone success in that period came at the expense of Napoli. Furthermore, ‘Gli Azzurri’ have found the back of the net in each of their last nine Serie A outings, last enjoying a longer scoring run in the top-flight in 2015. However, Empoli’s defensive woes have seen them keep a clean sheet in just three of their 18 Serie A matches in the first half of the season, all of which came on hostile turf.