Lazio will look to keep their push for a top four finish alive when they travel to Stadio Alberto Picco this Friday to take on Spezia.
The hosts played the role of party poopers last weekend when they stopped Fiorentina from breaking a club record for consecutive wins within a single season in a 1-1 draw. More importantly for them, that result helped keep the gap to the relegation zone at four points which could prove crucial as the home side bid to secure a fourth consecutive season in Serie A.
However, on paper, Spezia’s form continues to look like a concern after recording just one win from their last eleven league outings. But they will be happy with how much things have improved under new manager Leonardo Semplici as they have only suffered one league defeat (W1, D4) since the Italian arrived at the club.
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That run will be tested here against a Lazio team who are not only flying high but also boast a dominant record of winning each of the last five head-to-head meetings.
The visitors are in hot form having won each of their last three league games. They have scored a remarkable 14 goals across the last three head-to-head meetings and will fancy their chances of another great result here.
However, for all their attacking prowess, it’s been Lazio’s defence that has been getting the bulk of plaudits recently, as they have conceded in seven Serie A matches (W6, D1).
But despite their scintillating form, they still finished the last gameweek a hefty 16 points behind league-leaders Napoli. Even the most optimistic Eagles fan would accept the league title is beyond them, yet motivation to keep pushing on will surely remain as they look to finish above rivals Roma – currently in third – and secure their first top-two finish since winning the title back in 2000.
Meanwhile, Lazio have scored a league-high ten goals between 0-15 minutes, while being the only Serie A side yet to concede in this period, too. So we can expect a Goal First Half in this game.
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