Sassuolo can crowd the middle and look for Berardi when they escape the first wave of pressure. Lazio's forwards and midfielders can challenge that opening pass before the wide receivers are set. The contest turns on whether Lazio can turn a regain or a switch of play into a close box touch.
Bakola lost a costly first ball under pressure against Frosinone, and Sassuolo's replacement defence has had trouble with crosses and the next ball. Lazio can feed from Zaccagni and Tavares on the left or switch to Isaksen on the far side. Sassuolo's reported returns of Esposito and Laurienté add an outlet, though they played only brief spells at Como; Lazio's Pinamonti missed Parma and remains under assessment, while the other listed Lazio absences were already present there.
Lazio should press Sassuolo's short exit, then keep the ball moving across both flanks. Their delivery and far-side receiving give them more than one way to make the decisive contact, even after a compact opening spell. That's why I'm siding with Lazio to win this match.
