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Serie A Preview: Lazio - Genoa
A victory for the visitors could push Davide Ballardini out of the exit door at Lazio.....
| Bet: | Returns: | Catania £21.50 | Draw £32.00 | Genoa £34.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Catania £21.00 | Draw £31.00 | Genoa £37.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Catania £21.00 | Draw £32.00 | Genoa £34.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Catania £20.00 | Draw £32.00 | Genoa £40.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Catania £21.00 | Draw £31.50 | Genoa £32.50 |
|
Dec 11, 2009 9:00:00 AM
Kick-Off: Sunday, December 13, 15:00 CET.
Stadio Olimpico, Roma.
Stadio Olimpico, Roma.
Spiralling Down Into The Abyss
If results this weekend go against them, then Lazio could fall into the bottom three of Serie A. Winless in 13 games, the Aquile are just two places and one point above the relegation zone and the pressure is increasing on coach Davide Ballardini.
Lazio's 1-0 defeat to Roma in the Rome derby last weekend has made things more pathetic for a side that were expected to fight for a top four finish this season. And with the players that the Aquile have, they can certainly aim to do just that.
But the players have underperformed and off-pitch crises have taken their toll as the Rome side are suddenly mooting playing in Serie B next season. Most would say that they are too good to go down but that wouldn't change a thing if they do go down at the end of 2009-2010.
Victory over Genoa even at home does not sound too probable but anything less than that would be perceived as vital points dropped. Scoring against a side that has the joint worst defensive record in the league shouldn't be a problem, but the trouble is that Lazio have the second worst scoring record in the league: they have netted just nine times.
Climbing Up The Table
Genoa are steadily climbing up the table in the Italian top flight and are just one point off a Champions League slot. The Grifone are one of four sides on 24 points and a victory in Rome could propel them to fourth.
Last weekend Genoa were engaged in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Parma. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini knows that a victory in Rome is a must if they do not want to remain in a cluster and want to pull away from some of the other Champions League spot chasing clubs.
The Grifone were seemingly on the verge of collapsing earlier in the season but they have remarkably steadied their ship and are once again demonstrating the brand of football that made them so popular among Serie A enthusiasts last season.
FORM GUIDE
Lazio
December 6 v Roma (A) - LOST 1-0 (Serie A)
December 2 v Red Bull Salzburg (A) - LOST 2-1 (Europa League)
November 29 v Bologna (H) – DREW 0-0 (Serie A)
November 22 v Napoli (A) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)
November 8 v Milan (H) – LOST 2-1 (Serie A)
Genoa
December 6 v Parma (H) - DREW 2-2 (Serie A)
December 2 v Slavia Prague (A) – DREW 0-0 (Europa League)
November 28 v Sampdoria (H) – WON 3-0 (Serie A)
November 22 v Livorno (A) - LOST 2-1 (Serie A)
November 08 v Siena (H) - WON 4-2 (Serie A)
TEAM NEWS
Lazio
The Roman side are without Riccardo Perpetuini, Matuzalem, Christian Manfredini and Simone Inzaghi while Stefano Mauri, Roberto Baronio and Julio Cruz are suspended. Aleksandar Kolarov, Mauro Zarate, Pasquale Foggia and Guglielmo Stendardo are struggling with injuries.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Muslera, Siviglia, Standardo, Radu; Lichtsteiner, Brocchi, Dabo, Kolarov; Foggia; Zarate, Rocchi
Genoa
Bosko Jankovic, Houssine Kharja and Andrea Esposito will not feature against Lazio while Marco Rossi and Salvatore Bocchetti have injury concerns. The visitors are set to play in an attacking 3-4-3 formation.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Amelia, Tomovic, Moretti, Bocchetti; Rossi, Juric, Milanetto, Criscito; Mesto, Sculli, Palladino
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Mauro Zarate (Lazio)
The Argentine hasn't had the best of seasons so far but he has started to gather form in recent games. This is just what Lazio need at the moment and if they are to win against Genoa on Sunday afternoon, then Mauro Zarate has to start showing his sorcery and drill in the goals.
Raffaele Palladino (Genoa)
The 25-year-old has misfired in Serie A so far this campaign and Lazio are not very generous at the back. But Palladino would be looking to add to his tally and could be a handful for the opposition defenders.
PREDICTION
Lazio could win this game provided they take their chances. Genoa have a porous defence and the hosts create good opportunities for themselves which they have to take on Sunday afternoon if they want to return to winning ways and rescue their season.
Lazio 2-1 Genoa
Subhankar Mondal, Goal.com
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