Lazio have persistently maintained that their objective is not to have a go at the Scudetto but to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League. Yet the Aquile would be kicking themselves for a disappointing and lacklustre start to the 2010-11 campaign as they were held to a goalless draw in Genoa on Thursday.
With 34 points from 18 league matches, Lazio are five points behind leaders Milan in second and still have a good chance of overhauling that deficit and conquering Italy for the first time since 2000.
However, for them to realise those lofty dreams the Biancocelesti would have to make sure that they do not drop points at home and will need to register a victory against Lecce on Sunday.
Edy Reja's side will be encouraged to muster maximum points in Week 19 given their brilliant home form. Lazio have picked up 20 points out of a possible 27 at the Stadio Olimpico and have won three of their last four league encounters.
Suffocating In The Top Flight
Lecce were engaged in a relegation six-pointer against Bari at home on Thursday and failed to get anything. Their 1-0 loss was also Bari's first victory on the road in the league this campaign while it forced the Giallorossi to commence the new year on a disappointing note.
Having managed just 15 points from 18 matches, Lecce are second from bottom in the league standings and are three points from safety. Their home loss to Bari was their second successive in the league as before the Christmas period Luigi De Canio's side had gone down to Napoli in Naples.
Lecce have the worst away form in Serie A as they have collected just a single point in nine attempts on the road. The Lupi have lost all of their last six away games in the league and are defensively the weakest side in the division, having shipped in no fewer than 35 goals.
TEAM NEWS
Lazio
Meghni, Garrido and Matuzalem are injured and will miss the visit of Lecce. Dias is suspended. Edy Reja will deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation that will have Floccari as the lone striker upfront with Zarate, Hernanes and Mauri as the three creative midfielders behind him.
Lecce
Giuliatto, Di Michele, Ferrario and Olivera are injured and miss the trip to Rome. Giacomazzi is suspended. Ofere will be the targetman in a 4-3-2-1 system that will have Jeda and Piatti as the two creative midfielders.
Prediction
Lazio have a strong record at home and they are likely to garner maximum points against Lecce on Sunday.
Lazio 2-0 Lecce 
