Mancini was critical of his players for lacking character in their 3-0 defeat at Siena and is calling for a positive reaction this weekend against the reigning Serie A champions.

Lazio's defeat in Tuscany last Saturday, their fourth of the season, left them in sixth position on 19 points from 11 matches played, seven adrift of third-placed Juventus and eight behind joint leaders Roma and AC Milan.

But a win over Juve would kickstart their faltering championship challenge and take them to within four points of the title-holders.

Juventus however will be no easy touch as their pride has also been wounded following their first defeat of the season at home to Inter Milan last Saturday.

Two goals from Julio Cruz and another from Obafemi Martins gave Inter a 3-1 win, their first away victory to Juventus for 10 years. Paolo Montero's consolation goal came too late for the home side to mount a recovery.

That upset for Juve was followed three days later by a poor performance in Germany where the under-strength Italians were beaten 2-0 by Galatasaray in a rearranged Group D Champions League tie.

Juve were sunk by Hakan Sukur's double strike which left them still needing a point from their final first phase match at home to already-eliminated Olympiakos to win the group and secure a more favourable draw in the knockout phase.

Worryingly for Juventus coach Marcello Lippi, Juventus have kept only three clean sheets all season and face a Lazio side who took four points off them last season.

Lippi must decide whether to stick with Alessandro Del Piero whose toothless performance in attack against Inter may see the Juve captain dropped in favour of Marco Di Vaio.

The former Parma forward, who missed two gilt-edged opportunities against the Turks in midweek, has scored seven goals in 11 league matches.

Lazio will be without suspended Serbian midfielder Dejan Stankovic following his red card at Siena for insulting a linesman.

In Saturday's early match, European champions AC Milan should have few problems overcoming second-from-bottom Empoli and extending their unbeaten league record to 12 matches.

Empoli have won just once this season and are in real danger of returning to Serie B after just one season in the top flight.

Roma face a far trickier task away to Chievo on Sunday but they do possess the second most prolific strike force in the division with 25 goals scored.

Together with Milan, Roma also have the meanest defence having conceded just four goals.

Chievo come into the match on the back of successive defeats to Milan and Parma respectively.

However, Roma were unable to get the better of them last season, losing 1-0 in Rome and drawing 0-0 in Verona.

Elsewhere on Sunday, fourth-placed Inter Milan, seeking their fifth consecutive Serie A win, entertain Perugia, lying third from bottom without a win this season.