Serie A Preview: Lazio - Udinese

Posted Saturday, December 18, 2010 by Goal.com

The Bianconeri will not be easy pushovers but the hosts should still be confident of keeping pace with Milan in the Scudetto race...

Serie A Preview: Lazio - Udinese
Stefano Mauri, Giuseppe Biava - Lazio-Inter - Serie A

Adding The Cherry

Lazio may have slipped behind Milan in the title race and have dropped points in matches that they shouldn't have, but the Aquile are very much in with a chance of pulling off a shock Scudetto triumph. Currently placed fourth in the table with 30 points from 16 matches, Edy Reja's side are six points behind Milan.

Juventus and Napoli too are on 30 points and Lazio will try now to garner maximum points against Udinese and wrap up the year with a victory. Last season the former Italian champions struggled against relegation but under Reja this campaign the Lazio have undergone a massive renaissance and they will want to go into the Christmas break with a victory to keep their morale high.

Lazio, though, lost to Juventus 2-1 last weekend because of an injury-time Milos Krasic goal and will be keen to bounce back this weekend. The Biancazzurri have a formidable record at the Stadio Olimpico where they have lost just one and won five of the eight league fixtures.

Europe Beckons

Last season Udinese were struggling for a place in the top 20 teams in Italy, this campaign they are fighting for a place in the top six. With 23 points from 16 matches, the Bianconeri are just a win away from lifting themselves in a Europa League place.

As a matter of fact, Udinese have mustered more victories than Inter so far in the league and just one fewer than second-placed Juventus. Last weekend Francesco Guidolin's side defeated relegation-threatened Fiorentina 2-1 in Udine and have won three of their last five games in the league.

Winning in Rome against Lazio, though, could be problematic as Udinese have garnered just two victories and lost five matches on the road. More agonisingly, the Zebrette have lost all their last three away league fixtures.

Serie A Preview: Lazio - Udinese