An indifferent start to the new campaign and a mounting injury headache in defence hang over Simone Inzaghi's head, as his Lazio side travel to the Marassi for Saturday's game with Sampdoria.
Claudio Ranieri's Samp, meanwhile, had struggled for early momentum before a fine win in Florence last time out. Valerio Verre's late winner sealed a precious three points against Fiorentina following defeats to Juventus and newly-promoted Benevento - coached by Inzaghi's big brother, Pippo.
Match preview
The Blucerchiati have started the season underwhelmingly and only have three points to show for their efforts to date, leaving them in the spot between midtable and the drop zone, which has been their primary territory in recent years.
In addition, they have picked up a paltry one win from their last 17 Serie A meetings with bogey team Lazio, losing a staggering 13 of those fixtures.
That includes a run of four consecutive home defeats to the same opposition, one of which was a 5-1 thumping back in February.
Remaining over-dependent on veteran frontman Fabio Quagliarella for goals and inspiration, Sampdoria can often appear toothless in attack and Ranieri has been starved of the funds to improve matters in Genoa. However, the indefatigable and ever-versatile Antonio Candreva can add verve to their forward play.
Lazio coach Inzaghi would be delighted to follow recent precedent and take all three points from this game, given the circumstances.
Le Aquile only picked up one point from their last two Serie A matches, including a valuable 1-1 draw with Inter in which star striker Ciro Immobile was sent off and subsequently suspended.
With one eye on the Champions League, as Borussia Dortmund visit Stadio Olimpico just three days later, Inzaghi is set to field a somewhat patched-up XI on Saturday.
An eye-watering injury list among defensive players is covered only by Lazio's strength in depth in that area, with several internationals vying to step into the breach.
Sampdoria might, therefore, fancy their chances of adding to their four Serie A goals so far. Yet the visitors can still field an imposing midfield three, featuring razor-sharp all-rounder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and proven quality in attack, even in Immobile's absence.
Sampdoria Serie A form: LLW
Lazio Serie A form: WLD
Team News
Claudio Ranieri has had little disruption to his Sampdoria squad through illness, injury or the more recently common cause of quarantine.
Czech midfielder Jakub Jankto is currently injured and has been ruled out of Saturday's clash. Brazilian left-back Dodo is suspended.
Lazio must do without key men Immobile and Manuel Lazzari for the trip north. Lazzari picked up an injury on international duty, while Immobile is suspended.
Luiz Felipe, Senad Lulic, Stefan Radu and Adam Marusic also miss out through injury, which may see Marco Parolo drop back into defence, though Wesley Hoedt - recently returned from Southampton - or Slovak centre-back Denis Vavro could fill in too.
The attack was to have been led by Felipe Caicedo, but a knock in training makes him doubtful to start. This leaves the door open for exciting summer signing Vedat Muriqi, who has shone so brightly in the Turkish Super Lig in recent seasons.
Sampdoria possible starting lineup:
Audero; Bereszynski, Tonelli, Colley, Augello; Candreva, Verre, Ekdal, Thorsby; Ramirez, Quagliarella
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Strakosha; Patric, Parolo, Acerbi; Djavan Anderson, Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas, Luis Alberto, Fares; Muriqi, Correa
We say: Sampdoria 1-2 Lazio
Samp's early season form has been mixed to say the least and their recent record against their Roman visitors is appallingly bad.
Even in the throes of a mounting injury crisis at the back and shorn of their irrepressible goal-getter Ciro Immobile, Lazio can find the net at least once - with the tantalising prospect of Vedat Muriqi making an immediate impact alongside Joaquin Correa.
Top betting tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:databody check tags ::
Previews by email
