Lazio vs Sampdoria preview - Pioli hopes for winning start

Lazio head coach Stefano Pioli is aiming to make a winning start to 2015 ahead of a "tough month" starting on Monday against Sampdoria.

The Biancocelesti finished last year with a 2-2 away draw against Inter Milan and follow up the game at Sampdoria with a trip to second-placed Roma, a match against fourth-placed Napoli then AC Milan.

Lazio begin the year in third place in the Serie A standings and will be looking to take the maximum number of points from Samp as they bid to cut the gap to Roma, who are currently enjoying a nine point advantage over Pioli's side.

Samp are level on points with Lazio and will be no pushover, but Pioli hopes to finish January in a much stronger position.

"We know that we are in good position in the table," Pioli told gazzetta.it, "And that we will win as many games a possible to maintain it.

"We want to start 2015 on the right foot. January will be a tough month, but we hope to celebrate 115 years of Lazio in third place and a 2015 full of successes."

Sampdoria will be looking to return to winning ways after they drew their last two games of 2014 against Juventus and Udinese.

Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic will be without defender Lorenzo De Silvestri, who has a muscle injury, while striker Manolo Gabbiadini is suspended but says the rest of his squad are refreshed after the winter break.

"The guys are good," the Serbian said.

"Some are tanned, some less but all rested and recharged. Starting over, it's back to getting serious.

"At this stage it is important to reset after the holiday period and pick up where we left off."