[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 3 - 15/9/07 (19.30 UK)
Lazio - Empoli

Stadio Olimpico

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Both teams will be looking for their first seasonal victory when they meet at the Stadio Olimpico in Week 3. But while Empoli have continually been defeated this year, Lazio have collected two draws and are starting the tie as favourites.

The Tuscans will be hoping to avoid a repeat of last year’s encounter when they were hammered 3-1 in the capital. However, at the end of the last term both teams over-achieved with Lazio reaching a Champions League spot and Empoli gaining qualification to the UEFA Cup.

The Biancocelesti have been in good shape so far this season, earning a Champions League group place after a tough qualification round against Dinamo Bucharest. Coach Delio Rossi is now aiming to impress in the League too.

Serie A’s oldest active player Marco Ballotta should take the gloves as newly signed Nestor Muslera isn’t ready for his debut just yet. With Guglielmo Stendardo, Sebastiano Siviglia and Modibo Diakhite all injured Argentine full-back Lionel Scaloni will have to play once again in the centre.

Tireless midfielders Gaby Mudingayi and Massimo Mutarelli will be reconfirmed in the middle with Christian Manfredini sitting on the bench. Stefano Mauri is not 100 per cent fit so Simone Del Nero could be the Trequartista behind Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi.

Empoli tactician Luigi Cagni is set to name an unchanged line-up for the away trip, maintaining his favourite 4-4-1-1 formation. However, Juventus owned Claudio Marchisio could be a last minute selection in place of Davide Moro. The talented youngster Sebastian Giovinco is likely to start from the bench, but he could play an important role during the second half of the game.

Keep an eye on: Tommaso Rocchi (Lazio) – The 29-year-old has scored one goal so far this season and will be keen to show his former team how he has become a vital part of the Biancocelesti attacking package.

Last season: Lazio 3-1 Empoli

Form guide: Lazio (- - - D D) Empoli (- - - L L)


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Lazio (probable): Ballotta; Behrami, Scaloni, Cribari, Zauri; Mudingayi, Ledesma, Mutarelli; Del Nero; Rocchi, Pandev

Empoli (probable): Balli; Raggi, Marzoratti, Adani; Tosto, Buscè, Giacomazzi, Moro, Antonini; Vannucchi; Saudati

Ref: To follow...

tattering start for lazio wth all kind of problems.will be a hard game as empoli will play a very tight game and might sprung a few surprises at lazio.