Lazio vs Fiorentina Prediction: Little faith in either defence

It's been a forgettable season so far for both Lazio and Fiorentina. After missing out on European football, Lazio's summer transfer ban has left them struggling to keep pace with Serie A's top sides, while Fiorentina found themselves bottom of the table, having failed to win any of their first 15 matches.

However, they head to the capital having started to turn their fortunes around, with two wins from three lifting them up to 18th. Read below for my Lazio vs Fiorentina predictions, supported by the latest team news and match odds, ahead of Wednesday's meeting at the Stadio Olimpico (19:45 GMT, live on Betfred.com).

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Team News

Lazio allowed Valentin Castellanos to depart for West Ham at the start of the transfer window, while fellow striker Boulaye Dia is away on international duty.

That should see former Barcelona and Chelsea winger Pedro start as a false nine for the hosts.

Football Odds

Fiorentina left Moise Kean on the bench last time out, but the Italian international came on with six minutes to go to score the winner against Cremonese. It remains to be seen if he'll force his way into the starting Viola line-up. 

Lazio vs Fiorentina Odds

Lazio are 11/8 favourites for the points after their recent struggles, while Fiorentina's upturn in form has them at 11/5 for the win.

Despite starting on the bench last time out, Fiorentina's Kean leads the goalscoring markets, priced at 7/4 to score anytime and 9/2 to strike first.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 10/11

Lazio's first nine home matches have featured only 20 goals in total, but Maurizio Sarri's side have been more free-scoring when they've hosted teams below them in the table.

The Biancocelesti have claimed 11 points from five home clashes with sides below them, scoring 11 times.

They need that run to continue on Wednesday, as they've fallen nine points shy of the top four after winning only one of their previous six.

Lazio have looked vulnerable throughout their recent poor run, and they've conceded 7.1 Expected Goals in that stretch.

Today's Football Fixtures

Fiorentina finally appear to be on the up following home wins over Cremonese and Udinese.

The visitors have the seventh-best record in terms of xG this term, so it seems their results are finally starting to match their performances.

Fiorentina have scored six times in total across their previous three games, recording an xG of 6.3, so they're capable of causing problems for Lazio.

However, the hosts could continue their good scoring record against the league's strugglers, as the Viola have one clean sheet to show from their last 15 games across all competitions.

The visitors have conceded 14 times in nine away trips this term, while four of the last five head-to-head meetings between the pair have seen both sides get on the scoresheet.

Match Result - Draw @ 21/10

Fiorentina are winless on their travels in Serie A this season, but they have drawn four of their nine away trips.

With the visitors boosted by two wins from their last three games, they can hold their own against an out-of-sorts Lazio side.

While Fiorentina have defensive issues, Lazio's lack of options going forward could see them struggle to outscore their opponents.

Sarri's side have drawn six of their first 18 league games, including three of their last five, so back these two sides to share the spoils.