Lazio vs Genoa: Match Preview, Team News, Prediction

On Sunday, May 2, 2021, the Stadio Olimpico hosts Lazio vs Genoa in Matchday 34 of the 2020/21 Serie A.

In the 101 times that the two clubs have played each other in Serie A, the Biancocelesti have won on 37 occasions, the Rossoblu have won on 37 occasions and there have been 27 draws. When playing at home, Lazio has a record of 26W-16D-8L against Genoa.

As it stands in the top flight of Italian football, the Biancocelesti sit in sixth with a record of 19-4D-9L (61 points) and the Rossoblu sit in 13th with a record of 8W-12D-13L (36 points).


Lazio

This match takes place after Lazio won 3-0 against Milan at the Stadio Olimpico. It was a great result from the Biancocelesti, who put forth a tremendous performance and dominated for most of the match. Joaquin Correa scored a brace and led his side to a crucial victory which kept them in the race for a top-four spot. Ciro Immobile scored the assurance goal right before injury time to seal the victory.

This was Lazio’s best performance since their 3-0 win versus AS Roma back in January. With six matches remaining, Simone Inzaghi will hope that Lazio are able to build off of this performance and finish the season in the best possible way.

Wesley Hoedt of SS Lazio during the Serie A football match between SS Lazio and Hellas Verona at Olimpico Stadium in Roma Italy, December 12th, 2020. Photo Antonietta Baldassarre / Insidefoto antoniettaxbaldassarre

Lazio will be without Francesco Acerbi due to yellow card accumulation for this match. Wesley Hoedt is in pole position to fill in for the Italian center back. This would be the Dutch defender’s first start in almost two months.

Projected Starting XI (3-5-2): Reina; Marusic, Acerbi, Radu; Lazzari, Milinkovic, Leiva, Luis Alberto, Lulic; Correa, Immobile


Genoa

In Genoa’s recent match, they won 2-0 against Spezia at the Luigi Ferraris. The win ended a four-game winless streak and brought the Rossoblu one step closer to avoiding relegation. Gianluca Scamacca and Eldor Shomurodov each scored for Genoa in a tight affair between the two sides.

Since replacing Rolando Maran back in December, Genoa manager, Davide Ballardini, has a record of seven wins, eight draws and six losses. He’s turned it around for the Rossoblu and has improved his side drastically as they are playing confidently at the moment.

Juventus Fc – Genoa Cfc Domenico Criscito of Genoa Cfc controls the ball during the Serie A match between Juventus Fc and Genoa Cfc at Allianz Stadium on April 11, 2021 in Turin, Italy. Torino Allianz Stadium Italy Copyright: xMarcoxCanonierox

Aside from having another positive season with Genoa, Domenico Criscito has been effective versus Lazio. Unfortunately, the defender is expected to be out against the Biancocelesti which will be a massive loss. The defender has two goals in the past four matches versus Lazio in Serie A. Of those two goals, one was a game-winner in the final minute back in February 2019.

Projected Starting XI (3-5-2): Perin; Biraschi, Radovanovic, Masiello; Ghiglione, Strootman, Badelj, Zajc, Zappacosta; Scamacca, Destro


Final Words

In past seasons, Lazio have been the better side versus Genoa. In their last 12 meetings in Serie A, the Biancocelesti have lost twice versus the Rossoblu and have been the more dominant side. It is also important to note that in six of their past nine meetings, Lazio have scored two or more goals.

Immobile has returned to his scoring ways and is in good form once again. After going scoreless in eight straight Serie A matches, he’s followed up with goals in three straight matches; the striker will look to build off of this against Genoa as he’s managed to score five goals and provide two assists in the past five fixtures against them.

As for Genoa, Scamacca has been on fire in recent times. The forward has six goals and two assists for Genoa this year. He’s scored four goals and contributed one assist in the past five matches in Serie A.

If Lazio are to move up in the standings, they will need to be highly motivated, not let their guard down against a Genoa side who are in decent form and can’t be underestimated.


Prediction

Lazio 2-1 Genoa

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