Lazio continue their push for a Champions League place next season as they host Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday in Serie A. The hosts face a tough challenge against the in-form visitors and both sides could be set to cancel each other out.
Lazio head into this clash off the back of successive 2-1 wins in their last two matches across all competitions. The capital club beat AC Milan in their previous Serie A fixture and followed that up with a similar result away at Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League round of 16 first leg.
Marco Baroni’s men are driven by a potent attack and have won their last five Serie A matches. However, they remain unconvincing at the back, failing to keep a clean sheet in four of their last five matches in the league.
Udinese enter this game in fine form, having gone unbeaten in their last five Serie A matches, claiming four wins in that run, including a 1-0 victory over Parma last time out. Their resurgence has been fueled by an improved attacking output, netting nine times across those five matches.
That attacking output has helped compensate for their defensive vulnerabilities as Udinese have been a bit shaky at the back lately. Kosta Runjaic’s men are without a clean sheet in eight of their last nine away matches across all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Lazio on top
The bookies have installed Lazio as overwhelming favourites with BoyleSports offering 4/6 for a home win. A victory for Udinese is priced at 7/2 for a win while a draw is set at 13/5 by BoyleSports.
Head to head: Overall Lazio dominance
Lazio have a 35-15 advantage with 15 draws from 65 previous matches against Udinese. However, the visitors have won the last two meetings and claimed a 2-1 home victory in the reverse fixture in August.
Players to watch: Reliable Lucca
Lorenzo Lucca is the leading scorer for Udinese with 10 league goals this season, including three in his last six appearances. He could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime on Monday at 3/1 with BoyleSports.
For Lazio, Boulaye Dia is the key attacking threat in the absence of injured top scorer Valentin Castellanos. With seven league goals, five of which have come at home, he can be backed to find the net at 15/8 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Lazio will be without Mattia Zaccagni, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Castellanos, who are out with injury. However, Gustav Isaksen, Tijjani Noslin and Dia are all available and expected to continue in attack.
Udinese also have injury worries of their own as they remain without the services of Maduka Okoye, Souleymane Toure, Arthur Atta and Razvan Sava. However, Florian Thauvin and Lucca are expected to continue their partnership upfront.
Lazio: Provedel, Marusic, Gigot, Gila, Tavares, Guendozi, Rovella, Zaccagni, Dia, Isaksen, Tchaouna
Udinese: Padelli, Kamara, Solet, Bijol, Ehizibue, Zarraga, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Lucca, Thauvin
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in the last three meetings and a repeat is priced at 3/4 by BoyleSports. Those fixtures have also produced over 2.5 goals, which is priced at 5/6 with BoyleSports who are also offering odds of 11/5.
The last four matches between Lazio and Udinese have produced more goals after the break and a similar outcome is priced at evens with BoyleSports.
Udinese have scored first in four of their last five games, they have achieved the same feat in the last two meetings against Lazio. A repeat is expected at odds of 9/5.
This Serie A match between Lazio and Udinese will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Lazio vs Udinese prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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