Sunday evening’s fixture between Lazio and Bologna will be the first Serie A match of the season at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, with kickoff at 7:30 pm.
Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri will target the top four in 2022-23. As he embed his notorious ‘Sarri-ball’ style at the Roman club, inspirational captain Ciro Immobile and creative colossus Sergej Milinkovic-Savic remain in the Eternal City.
A busy transfer window could set them up for success this season. Much-needed defensive reinforcements include center-backs Nicolo Casale (from Verona) and Alessio Romagnoli – an ex-Roma man who arrives from Milan – plus Portuguese goalkeeper Luis Maximiano.
Lazio has won three games in a row against Bologna and will look to extend that streak to four. The Biancocelesti lost 3-0 at home against Bologna last season but have since come out on top of their rivals, including reverse of that scoreline in February.
When Bologna made their Serie A season debut away from home, they lost five times out of six, so going to the Olimpico was perhaps not the kindest start the schedule could have thrown up.
Lazio legend Sinisa Mihajlovic, who finished 13th last term after being plagued by inconsistency, returns to Rome, aiming to overcome a sluggish spell in the transfer market over the summer.
Lazio vs. Bologna Head to Head
Both sides have 26 games against each other, with hosts taking 13 wins while visitors with 5 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Real Valladolid 0-0 Lazio
- Lazio 0-0 Qatar
- Genoa 4-1 Lazio
- Lazio 4-0 ND Primorje
Away
- Bologna 1-0 Cosenza
- FC Twente 4-1 Bologna
- AZ Alkmaar 1-0 Bologna
- Genoa 0-1 Bologna
Lazio Team News
Maurizio Sarri is expected to start only two of his summer signings, with Alessio Romagnoli and Luis Maximiano to be involved. Matteo Cancellieri and Ivan Provedel should be among the substitutes, but Nicolo Casale is unavailable due to suspension. Pedro will also miss out due to an ankle injury.
Bologna Team News
Meanwhile, Andrea Cambiaso is set to start for Bologna, particularly as Mitchell Dijks is out in the cold while seeking a new club. Lewis Ferguson must wait to make his debut due to a suspension that follows him from Aberdeen, but Sinisa Mihajlovic has no major injury concerns.
Prediction and Odds
Lazio will not draw in this weekend’s Serie A opener. The hosts have recruited well, and Sarri’s philosophy is becoming second nature to a talented squad.
- Home Win
- Goals Under 2.5
- No Score: Away
