Lazio will be looking to fend of the chasing pack as they continue their move for a European finish this season. The capital club travel to out of sorts Udinese on Sunday and having impressed in Serie A in recent weeks, will fancy their chances at the Dacia Arena.
Udinese are going through a rough spell at the moment and head into Sunday’s clash which just one win from their last five Serie A matches. That poor run has seen them slide down the table and are now just three points above the relegation zone.
It was yet another disappointing outing for Udinese in their previous Serie A fixture as they suffered a 4-0 defeat at troubled Verona. Gabriele Cioffi's men saw more of the possession and had more attempts on goal but were let down by poor finishing.
Udinese have suffered some of their heaviest defeats this season at home, including a 4-0 loss to Napoli while they were also beaten 6-2 by Atalanta. They have also failed to score in three of their last four Serie A fixtures, while top scorer Beto is currently on a five-match goal drought.
Lazio warmed up for the trip to Udinese with a 2-1 defeat at Porto in the first leg of their Europa League knockout round playoff. They failed to build on an early lead from Mattia Zaccagni and allowed the Portuguese giants back in the contest.
The capital club will be keen to put that result behind them and turn their attention back to domestic matters and their quest for a top six finish. They have claimed three wins and a draw from their last four Serie A matches, a run that includes successive 3-0 away victories at Salernitana and Fiorentina.
Lazio are not known as a defensive side but have found a way to tighten up at the back in recent weeks. Maurizio Sarri’s men have kept clean sheets in their last four Serie A matches.
How the bookies view it
Lazio have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 17/12 by SBK to claim the win. Udinese are considered outsiders at home at 11/5 by bet365 while Unibet is offering odds of 49/20 for a draw.
Recent head to head
Lazio are unbeaten in six of the last seven matches against Udinese, claiming four wins in that run. Both teams played out a 4-4 draw in the reverse fixture in December but the capital club knocked out their rivals from the Coppa Italia in January after earning a 1-0 extra-time victory.
Players to watch
Lazio’s recent good form has been driven by a solid defence that has kept clean sheets in their last four matches. Patric and Luiz Felipe have been the preferred centre-back pairing lately and both men can ensure that run continues at 9/4 with Skybet.
At the other end of the pitch, top scorer Ciro Immobile is expected to return after missing the Europa League clash due to Illness. The striker was on target in the two matches with Udinese this season and is priced at 5/4 by Vbet to get on the score sheet.
Anything else catch the eye?
Given Lazio’s solid defence and with Udinese struggling for goals at the moment, BTTS NO could be on the cards at 5/4 with BetVictor. Lazio have won to nil in their last two away matches and that run could be tipped to continue at 17/5 with BetVictor.
Having claimed successive 3-0 victories in their last two away matches, a -1 handicap can also be considered for Lazio at 31/10 with Vbet.
This Serie A match between Udinese and Lazio will be played on Feb 20, 2022 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Udinese vs Lazio prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
