Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Serie A match.
The final match of the round in the Serie A will be played at the Stadio Olimpico. Here, Lazio will try to capitalise on Juventus’ dropped points and return to the top four, but Udinese’s resilience could make this a tricky fixture.
Lazio
Lazio have suffered just one defeat in their last seven matches across all competitions, a 0:2 Coppa Italia elimination by Inter Milan. Their 2:1 win at San Siro against AC Milan was aided by Aleksandar Pavlovic’s red card, while their 0.58xG in open play suggests they weren’t dominant. Lazio must also consider their Europa League campaign, having edged Viktoria Plzeň (2:1) in the first leg. With Rovella Nicolò and Samuel Gigot suspended for the return fixture, Lazio are likely to field a strong lineup in Europe, which could impact their intensity in this match.
Udinese
Udinese have quietly built momentum, collecting 10 points from their last five league games, a tally bettered only by AS Roma. Their away form has been solid, with three of their last four road matches finishing under 2.5 goals. Udinese have thrived on counter-attacks, securing wins over Lecce (1:0) and Parma (1:0), though they only generated 3.58 xG across those 180 minutes.
Lazio vs Udinese Prediction
Lazio boast Serie A’s fourth-best home defence in terms of xGA (14.06), and their 0:0 draw in the reverse fixture highlights Udinese’s ability to frustrate them. With the visitors determined to extend their unbeaten run, this match is likely to be another low-scoring contest.
