Lazio host Fiorentina in Serie A with both sides keen to build on some encouraging recent performances as they hope for at least a top-six place in Italy this season.

Going into Monday night’s clash in Rome, the hosts have picked up 13 points from their first nine games, having won four, lost four and drawn once so far.

Fiorentina have enjoyed an even better start, though, and are above Lazio in the table with 17 points accumulated from their first nine games.

Match Odds

Lazio are 13/10 to win, the draw is 23/10 and an away win for La Viola is available at 21/10.

For punters expecting goals, over 2.5 is a 10/11 chance, while a high-scoring encounter with over 3.5 goals is 9/4, and there have been four or more goals in two of Lazio’s last three games and three of Fiorentina’s last four.

Team News

Lazio defender Nicolo Casale has a thigh problem and is set for at least a fortnight on the sidelines, while Manuel Lazzari and Taty Castellanos are among those pushing for starts for the hosts.

Viola boss Vincenzo Italiano is expected to bring back the likes of Gonzalez, Nikola Milenkovic and Giacomo Bonaventura, who were all rotated for the Europa Conference League win on Thursday.

Right-back Michael Kayode suffered an ankle injury against Cukaricki, though, and is set for a few weeks out while Dodo, Yerry Mina and Gaetano Castrovilli are all still absent.

Draw @ 23/10

This looks like being a close clash on Monday night with just four points separating the two sides in the table.

Lazio have won their last two league games, beating Atalanta 3-2 at home and Sassuolo 2-0 away, before a disappointing 3-1 loss at Feyenoord in the Champions League last time out.

At home, the Biancocelesti are usually difficult opponents and they are unbeaten in their last four at the Olympic Stadium, mixing draws with Atletico Madrid in Europe and Monza in Serie A with recent league wins over Torino and that dramatic success over Atalanta.

Fiorentina’s confidence levels should be high, however, after they demolished Cukaricki in the Europa Conference League 6-0 on Thursday and Maurizio Sarri’s side have only lost twice in Serie A so far this term, against Inter and Empoli.

A draw could well be the outcome, which would be a result both teams would probably accept as they look to maintain their places in the top half of the table.

Nicolas Gonzalez to score anytime @ 21/10

Nicolas Gonzalez has been amongst the goals for Fiorentina in the early weeks of the season with the Argentinian forward firing in five times and also contributing with one assist so far.

The 25-year-old was on target in the wins earlier this month over Cagliari and Napoli and he’s not been shy at getting his shots off this season with Gonzalez managing 22 attempts at goal in Serie A already, eight of which have been on target.

Gonzalez is 6/1 to score first but 21/10 to score anytime, which might be the safer play.