Davide Ballardini will take charge of his first game as manager of Bologna when they host Lazio at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on Saturday.

Ballardini replaced Stefano Pioli on Wednesday after the club dropped to 17th in the Serie A table.

Bologna have lost three of their past four league games and fell to a 2-0 defeat against bottom side Catania last weekend.

They are not the only club to have made managerial changes this season, as Lazio sacked Vladamir Petkovic last weekend following a run of one win in eight league games.

Edoardo Reja has been placed in charge and guided his side to a 1-0 win over Lazio last Sunday in his first match at the helm.

Lazio have struggled away from home in the league this season, and are one of three teams who are yet to win on the road.

Andrea Mantovani is suspended for Bologna, while Federico Marchetti is expected to miss out for Lazio with an injury.

Recent form

Bologna: DDLLWL

Lazio: DLLWLW

Possible starting lineups

Bologna: Curci, Garics, Natali, Antonsson, Morleo, Kone, Perez, Laxalt, Diamanti, Cristaldo, Acquafresca

Lazio: Berisha, Konko, Dias, Biava, Lulic, Hernanes, Ledesma, Gonzalez, Keita, Candreva, Klose

Sports Mole says: 1-1

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