Juventus vs Lazio

Juventus are home to take on SS Lazio in week 35 of Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. The vecchia signora are looking to build off of their dominating performance of a week ago away to Atalanta while Lazio will face the daunting task of having to play on the road for a second straight time – they have one just one game away from home all season- and they will be taking on the very tough Juve at that.

The bianconeri were awesome in week 34 with a strong 0-4 victory away to Atalanta at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. Together with AS Roma’s tie in their match against Livorno, Juve have now climbed to within 5 points of 2^nd place with 4 games remaining. They have 67 points to Roma’s 72 while maintaining an 8 point lead over 4^th place Fiorentina. This development leaves them with a slight chance at catching Roma for a direct place in the Champions League. Manager Claudio Ranieri’s side have now posted 3 consecutive victories and have outscored their opposition over those past 3 games by a score of 10-2. Juventus have just two injury concerns this week with Andrade and Iaquinta having been ruled out. Therefore, Ranieri will have pretty much his top first 11 for this game with Zebina at right fullback and Nedved, Camoranesi, Sissoko, Trezeguet and Del Piero all able to start.

SS Lazio find themselves in 12^th place of the Serie A log with 40 points on the present campaign. They are 1 point behind 11^th place Atalanta and 2 points ahead of 12^th place Siena. The biancocelesti were beaten away from home last week when they lost to Catania on the road by a 1-0 final score at the Angelo Massimino. The side managed by Delio Rossi have been struggling over the past month and have gone winless over the last 5 matches with 3 draws and 2 losses during this stretch. Two players have been ruled out because of injury this week in Behrami and Diakite while Zauri, Ledesma and Dabo are out suspended. In the case of Dabo he is out suspended for the next game as well.

Juventus are playing some great football of late. Their last two wins have been by a combined 7-0 over the opposition and this was after their big derby victory over AC Milan. Lazio have not been playing well of late and the odds of them picking up only their 2^nd road win of the season this week away to Juve are slim at best. Juve’s excellent current form should carry the day.

Prediction: Juventus (2-1)

Fiorentina vs Lazio

Fiorentina are home to host the suddenly rejuvenated SS Lazio as week 30 of Serie A gets underway. Fiorentina are coming off of a loss on the road, while Lazio just pulled off a very uplifting and emotional win in the Rome derby.

The side managed by Cesare Prandelli are in 4^th place of the league table with 50 points. Fiorentina sit 5 points behind 3^rd place Juventus and 4 up on AC Milan thanks to Milan’s failure to win their match during the midweek fixtures of week 29. If the season ended today, Fiorentina would have a chance at qualifying for the Champions League. They are coming off of a 2-0 loss away to Napoli at the San Siro. The viola have posted 3 wins and 2 draws over their last 5 games. The injured list this week consists of Jorgensen, Gamberini and Semioli. The Argentine Santana is expected to come on for Semioli while Christian Vieri will be making his first start since the 24^th of February.

Lazio picked up what will probably go down as their most important victory of the season in their last match when they held serve and defeated AS Roma by a score of 3-2 in the derby match at the Stadio Olimpico. They are now in 9^th place of the Serie A table with 37 points, just behind 8^th place Atalanta on goal difference and 1 point up on 10^th place Napoli. They are undefeated over their last 5 matches with 3 wins and 2 draws. Manager Delio Rossi is expected to employ some type of turn over this week with Rozenhal coming on in defense. Meanwhile, the injured list includes a number of players including Radu, Del Nero, Firmani, Diakite and Zauri. Look for Mudingayi and Mutarelli to come on in midfield.

While Fiorentina have been the better side overall this season, Lazio are playing their best football of the year. Their form of late has been impressive and the fact that they were able to defeat Roma in a match that meant everything to their title hopes shows that on any given day the biancocelesti are capable of beating anyone. They should prove to be very tough for Fiorentina.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Lazio vs Roma

Lazio and Roma face off in yet another edition of the Roma derby at the Stadio Olimpico in what will be the final match of week 29 in Serie A. The two sides are coming off of positive results over the weekend with Lazio having held out for a point on the road in their last match, while Roma scored an impressive come from behind victory at home over none other than AC Milan.

Lazio come into the derby in 11^th place of the Serie A table. They have 34 points on the present campaign and this leaves them 1 point behind 10^th place Genoa and 1 point up on 12^th place Napoli. Last week they were able to return from their visit to the Stadio Friuli with a point following a 2-2 draw against Udinese. Delio Rossi’s side are on a 4 match unbeaten run which includes 2 victories. Rossi is well aware that a victory in this match would go a long way towards salvaging Lazio’s season in the eyes of their supporters, while at the same time dealing a devastating blow to Roma’s title hopes. There are some important injury concerns including Zauri, Mutarelli, Del Nero and Firmani who have all been ruled out but Lazio are still expected to go with an attacking style. The biancocelesti are set to start in a 4-3-1-2 with Pandev just behind Rocchi and Bianchi.

Roma are currently playing some of their best football of the season and are still alive in both the league title chase and the Champions League. The giallorossi are coming off of a dramatic, come from behind win over AC Milan at home last week by a score of 2-1. Thanks to that result, Roma were able to keep pace with Inter Milan. They sit in 2^nd place with 61 points, 6 behind the league leaders. Nedo Spaletti’s side are winners of 3 straight and 4 of their last 5 games. They have outscored their opponents by 10-2 over this stretch. The club also seems to be peaking in fitness at just the right time as there is a very good chance that Spaletti will have his entire squad available for the derby. While Totti is confirmed to start in attack, it will be interesting to see who gets the call on the left wing- Mancini or the impressive Vucinic.

While on paper Roma should be the favorite due to their impressive form when compared with Lazio’s season overall, you just never can tell with the Roman derby. In fact, over the last 8 derby matches between the two clubs, each side has won 2 while the other 4 ended in draws. The derby is different from any other match and this contest has all the makings of all out war.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Udinese vs Lazio

An injury plagued Udinese will look to build off of their draw away from home last week when they return to the Stadio Friuli and face-off against SS Lazio. Lazio are coming off of an important win at home and their recent improved form has put them within a point of cracking the top 10 of the Serie A table.

Udinese come into this match in 6^th place of the Serie A league table with 40 points. This leaves them 6 points back of 5th place AC Milan while holding a 1 point edge on 7^th place Sampdoria. The side managed by Marino are currently in line for a place in the first round of the UEFA Cup. The friuliani are coming off of a 1-1 draw away to Palermo last week at the Renzo Barbera and have now posted 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses over their past 5 games. The injured list remains cluttered this week with De Martino, Asamoah, Obodo, Zapata all out. In addition, Mesto is also expected to be unavailable and Ferronetti looks set to take his spot on the right side of midfield. Look for Dossena to come on to cover the left flank and Quagliarella to get the start at the center forward position. To his credit, Marino continues to use the 3-5-2 system despite the absence of Zapata from the back line.

The much improved Lazio are coming off of a 2-0 victory at home to Livorno at the Stadio Olimpico. With the victory the biancocelesti are in 11^th place of the league table with 33 points. They sit 1 point back of 10^th place Atalanta and just ahead of 12^th place Napoli on goal difference. That victory extended Lazio’s unbeaten run to 3 straight and they have conceded just 2 goals over their last 5 matches. This week manager Delio Rossi is expected to employ some type of turnover given the big derby match coming up against Roma in the middle of next week. Therefore, look for Goran Pandev to start on the bench and this may also be the case for Behrami. Siviglia and Cribari are expected to form the center back partnership in defense while Mutarelli, Del Nero and Zauri are out injured.

While Lazio have improved of late they have still only managed 1 win away from home all season. Also, much of that improvement has been due to the good work defensively and with at least some turnover expected this week it is hard to say how Lazio’s 4-3-1-2 will function. Udinese have hardly played like world beaters at home and they do have some important absences, but they have still managed 6 wins and 3 draws from 13 matches and should be good enough to hold serve against Lazio.

Prediction: Udinese (2-1)

Lazio vs Livorno

Lazio return home after a good effort away to AC Milan last week and will host Livorno at the Stadio Olimpico. Livorno will be looking to continue where they left off last week after holding serve at home to Catania.

Lazio were in the unenviable position of playing away to AC Milan in week 26 but they more than held their own to come away with a point from a match that ended 1-1 at the San Siro. The point leaves the laziali in 12^th place of the Serie A table with 30 points for the year. They sit 3 points back of 11^th place Napoli and 2 points up on 13^th place Torino. The draw away to Milan extended their modest unbeaten run to two matches after having won at home to Reggina the week before. For this week’s match at home to Livorno manager Delio Rossi has confirmed that he will be going with a 3 man attack comprised of Brocchi, Goran Pandev and Bianchi. The injured list this week consists of Zauri, Mutarelli and Del Nero with De Silvestri and Mudingayi sitting out due to suspension. At the back, Sivigilia is expected to start despite an injury scare earlier in the week. Should he not be able to go, Rozenhal would come in.

Livorno are in 15^th place of the league table at this time. They are 2 points behind 14^th place Siena and 1 point ahead of 16^th place Parma. In their last match they defeated relegation plagued Catania by a score of 1-0 at the Stadio Armando Picchi and that was a huge result given that Catania are a direct rival in that relegation battle. The win snapped a 3 match losing streak for the side managed by Camolese. This week the squad will once again be missing Bergvold, Giannichedda, Rossini and Volpe but the good news is that Tavano has been confirmed to start in attack. The only question at this time for Livorno is whether Tristan or Diamanti will accompany him at the top of the 3-5-2.

Lazio have been playing better of late at home and despite their poor league position the Olimpico can still be intimidating. Livorno are separated by only 4 points from Lazio a victory would represent a major step forward. However, the 3 pronged attack from Lazio could cause them problems especially since they are expected to feature a 3 man defense.

Prediction: Lazio (2-0)

AC Milan vs Lazio

AC Milan host Lazio in their week 26 match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. An injury plagued Milan were held to a frustrating draw on the road in their midweek match, while Lazio were able to pick up a big win that helps them move farther away from the relegation zone of Serie A.

The rossoneri were held to a 1-1 draw by Catania in their last match. Milan were missing important players such as Kaka’, Nesta, Ronaldo and Dida and were certainly not at their best. The result leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s club in 5^th place of the league table with 42 points. They now sit 2 points back of Fiorentina while holding a 6 point edge over 6^th place Udinese. With neither Kaka’ nor Pippo Inzaghi slated to start this week Milan look to go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Seedorf playing just behind Pato and Gilardino. The injured list remains the same as it was for the last match with Favalli also missing out due to suspension. The Australian keeper Kalac will once again start for Dida while Bonera will cover in the back line for Nesta. AC Milan have posted 2 wins and 3 draws in their last 5 matches.

Lazio picked up victory from a match they absolutely had to win in week 25 when they defeated Reggina by a score of 1-0 at home. Reggina have been battling relegation all year long and Lazio were in no position to drop points at home to them. With the win the side managed by Delio Rossi are now in 12^th place of Serie A with 29 points for the season. They are 1 point behind 11^th place Napoli and 2 points up on 13^th place Torino. They have posted 3 wins at home and 2 losses on the road over their last 5 matches and will be looking to change that pattern this week away to Milan. There are 2 confirmed absences at this time and they involve Zauri and Mutarelli. Like Milan, Lazio will use a 4-3-1-2 with Mauri playing behind the big 2 of Rocchi and Goran Pandev.

The edge has to go to AC Milan this week. While it is true that they have not played consistently at home this season with just 4 wins from 12 matches, Lazio have won just 1 match on the road and their form as a whole drops immensely when they are away from the Stadio Olimpico. They will need to play a mistake free match at the back.

Prediction: AC Milan (1-0)

Lazio vs Reggina

Lazio and Reggina hook up at the Stadio Olimpico in a contest that features two sides in dire need of points given their relative positions in the Serie A league table. Lazio come into this contest off of a bad loss while Reggina have just pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season over the weekend.

Lazio lost a very tough match on the road in week 24 as they fell to last place Cagliari by a score of 1-0 at the Stadio Sant’Elia. The laziali were hoping to build off of an impressive 3-0 victory over Atalanta in their prior match and the lowly Cagliari appeared to be a squad on paper that Lazio could surprise on the road. The result drew the ire of the supporters who have been protesting at the club headquarters all week. The loss leaves Lazio in 13^th place with 26 points, just behind 12^th place Torino and 1 point ahead of 14^th place Empoli. There are 4 expected absences this week against Reggina with Firmani, Zauri, Mutarelli out injured and Behrami serving a one match suspension. Manager Delio Rossi will go with his standard 4-3-1-2 featuring Mauri and Ledesma playing behind Pandev and Rocchi.

Relegation battlers’ Reggina picked up some much needed oxygen with an improbable 2-1 victory over the mighty Juventus at the Oreste Granillo. It was a huge win for Reggina given that last place Cagliari also won their match. The result leaves Reggina in 19^th place of the league table with 21 points. They are 3 ahead of last place Cagliari, but just 1 point back of both Parma and Siena meaning that another victory could see them jump out of the relegation slots. Renzo Ulivieri’s side are now in much higher spirits following the impressive win but they must maintain and build off of this momentum if they are to achieve their goal. There are 3 injury concerns this week involving Garcia, Ceravolo and Modesto, while Amoruso and Lanzaro are out suspended. Look for Cirillo to replace Lanzaro at the back while the Nigerian Makinwa looks likely to start in place of Amoruso.

While momentum will certainly be on Reggina’s side in the lead up to this game there are a number of factors working against a repeat of their Juventus result. The injured list is now longer, Lazio will not underestimate them and perhaps the most important fact- Reggina have not won a match away from home all season. Catania and Parma are the only other sides yet to win on the road. The home side Lazio should be good enough for at least a draw at home.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Lazio vs Atalanta

Lazio return to the Stadio Olimpico looking to bounce back from an ugly loss away from home last week to Empoli when they host Atalanta. Atalanta were also disappointing last week as they dropped 2 points at home and they have now combined with Lazio to win just 2 of their last 10 matches.

The biancocelesti are in 13^th place of the Serie A league table with 23 points on the present campaign. They are 1 point behind 12^th place Torino and just ahead of 14^th place Catania on goal difference. Last week they were surprise losers away to relegation battlers Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani by a score of 1-0. With the loss Delio Rossi’s side have now posted just 1 win to go along with 2 draws and 2 losses in their last 5 games. The injured list this week includes Firmani, Zauri and Mutarelli while Kolarov is out suspended. Lazio will go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Mauri playing behind Rocchi and Goran Pandev. Pandev is the club leader in goals scored with 8.

Atalanta were held to a 2-2 draw at home last week in their match to Fiorentina at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. The two points dropped at home leave Gigi Del Neri’s side in 8^th place of the league table with 30 points for the year. They are 1 point behind 7^th place Sampdoria and 1 point ahead of 9^th place Genoa. Just as Lazio, they have produced 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses over their last 5 games. The list of unavailable players for the trip to Rome this week is extensive and it includes Talamonti, Costinha, Forsyth, Carrozzieri and Radovanic. Given these absences and the fact that Atalanta are on the road, Del Neri will adopt a defensive formation with only Floccari upfront at the striker position with top goal scorer Doni playing behind him in a 4-4-1-1.

This could prove to be a very tough match for Lazio. They have been extremely inconsistent all season long, especially at home where they have already managed to lose 5 times. Meanwhile, Atalanta have lost just 4 road matches this season while winning 3 and drawing 4. While the bergamaschi might not be able to pull at a victory they should at least be good enough to hold out for a draw.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Lazio vs Sampdoria

SS Lazio are home to Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico as they look to build off of the modest success they enjoyed in their draw away to Torino of a week ago in order to snap their current winless run. Meanwhile, Sampdoria are a victory and some help away from finding themselves in the upper third of the Serie A table.

The biancocelesti are currently in 14^th place of the league table with 20 points on the present campaign. The 20 points position them 1 point back of Livorno and 1 point ahead of 15^th place Parma. The side managed by Delio Rossi have been the model of inconsistency this season and wins have been very hard to come by. They have not won in their last 5 matches; instead they have posted 3 draws to go along with 2 losses at home. There is some slight optimism however as they were able to pick up back to back draws away from home against Napoli and Torino. There are a number of injury concerns this week including Meghni, Firmani, Zauri and Mutarelli with Kolarov and Bianchi out suspended. Dabo looks set to cover the left wing for Mutarelli with Rocchi and top scorer Goran Pandev upfront.

The blucerchiati are in 7^th place of the Serie A table with 28 points, 2 back of 6^th place AC Milan. They are coming off of a 1-0 win at home over Siena at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris which extended their current win streak to 3 matches. They have not conceded a goal over those 3 games which includes a 0-0 draw away to Juventus. The injured list this week includes Lucchini, Kalu, Montella and Sammarco. Manager Mazzarri looks set to go with a 3-5-2 formation featuring top scorer Bellucci in attack alongside Antonio Cassano.

While Lazio have not exactly been dominant at home with just 3 wins from 10 home matches this year to go along with 2 draws and 5 losses, Sampdoria tend to struggle away from home. In fact, they have lost 7 of 10 road matches with one draw. Still, their current form and more importantly the strength the back line has been show in posting 3 straight clean sheets tends to signal a good performance. Look for Samp to hold out for at least 1 point.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Napoli vs Lazio

Napoli and Lazio will face each other for the second time in 3 days with this match taking place at Napoli’s home, the Stadio San Paolo. The partenopei will be looking to exact revenge after the Romans knocked them out of the Coppa Italia.

The side managed by Reja currently sit in 8^th place of Serie A with 23 points on the year. They are one point back of Sampdoria who are 7^th and 1 point ahead of Atalanta. Napoli are coming off of an ugly loss last week away to AC Milan at the San Siro by a score of 5-2. It was the first time this season that Milan have been able to win at home. The club will be missing 2 players this week as Uruguayans Marcelo Zalayeta and Walter Gargano are both suspended. These are big absences as Zalayeta leads the club in scoring while Gargano is their most important defensive midfielder. However, the Argentine combination of Roberto Sosa and Ezequiel Lavezzi provide Napoli with 2 top of the like strikers so the loss of Zalayeta will be absorbed.

Lazio come into this contest in 15^th place of Serie A with 18 points, just behind Livorno on goal difference. While they lost their last league match at home to Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico di Roma, they did held serve against Napoli at home in the Coppa Italia and advanced to the next round. The biancocelesti have been struggling away from home this season with just 1 win from 8 matches. The biggest absence this week for manager Delio Rossi is striker Stephen Makinwa who is at the African Cup of Nations in Ghana. In addition, striker Rocch is dealing with an injury and is not expected to be able to start at Napoli. Instead, he will be on the bench with Igli Tare taking his spot alongside Goran Pandev.

This is a big match for Napoli. They fell they crashed out of the Coppa Italia due to a lack of concentration and will be looking to correct those mistakes. Lazio got the result they needed in the Coppa Italia and their poor road record sets them up for a let down this week.

 

Prediction: Napoli (2-1)

 

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