[Jager]

Serie A Week 9 - 29/10/06 (14.00 UK)

Lazio-Reggina
Stadio Olimpico

It is a battle between the Calciopoli clubs on Sunday as two of the bottom three meet at the Stadio Olimpico looking to further erase the points penalties they were handed at the start of the season. Lazio can finally get out of negative points if they can pick up a win, and though Reggina are still on –4 they will be desperate not to allow a big gap to emerge between themselves and their potential relegation rivals.

Both sides have been dealt a blow due to indiscipline in Week 8. Reggina lose influential midfielder Giacomo Tedesco after his dismissal against Parma, while both Goran Pandev and Giullermo Stendardo were sent off during Lazio’s loss to Sampdoria. With Lazio already missing Stephen Makinwa through injury it means Albanian striker Igli Tare is likely to be drafted in alongside Tommaso Rocchi in the Biancocelesti attack.

Skipper Massimo Oddo does return, however, after serving his two-match ban. But Delio Rossi is still missing Swiss teenager Valon Behrami from the midfield with a long-term injury as well as loan signing Pasquale Foggia. Pressure will begin to mount on the Coach if his side fail to pick up a win against the bottom club, given that the club have taken just one point from the last nine available.

In stark contrast, Walter Mazzarri’s team have lost just once in their last five, picking up the scalp of Roma along the way. Despite a hefty points penalty the Calabrian club have made quick work of wiping out their disadvantage and will be eager to continue their progress.

History suggests a Lazio triumph though. Last season ended with a 3-1 win for the Roman side – even with an empty Curva Nord as the Laziali staged a protest against President Claudio Lotito. In their six previous top Division campaigns the Amaranto have recorded just one win over their opponents at the Stadio Olimpico, faring much better in the return fixture – which they have won for three consecutive years.

Man on fire: Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio) – The shaven-headed striker has three goals to his name this term and has been an ever present in the starting XI.

Last season: Lazio 3-1 Reggina

Form guide: Lazio (W W D L L) Reggina (D D W L W)

Lazio (probable): Peruzzi; Zauri, Siviglia, Cribari, Oddo; Mauri, Ledesma, Mudingayi, Manfredini; Rocchi, Tare

Reggina (probable): Pelizzoli; Aronica, Lucarelli, Giosa; Esteves, Modesto, Amerini, Mesto; Amoruso, Bianchi, Leon

Ref: To follow...

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