Preview: Lazio vs. Genoa - prediction, team news, lineups

Champions League hopefuls Lazio will be looking to record their 11th successive home win in Serie A for the first time in their history when they host Genoa at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the visitors are hoping to avoid a third consecutive away defeat in the top-flight for the first time since October 2019.

Match preview

© Reuters

Lazio dented AC Milan's Champions League hopes and boosted their own when they convincingly beat the Rossoneri 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico last weekend.

A brace from Joaquin Correa and a late strike from Ciro Immobile ensured the Eagles claimed all three points and their 10th consecutive home victory in Serie A – a run previously achieved by the club in 1937 and then in 1974.

Simone Inzaghi's side remain in sixth place but have closed in on the top four, moving to within five points of Juventus, Napoli and Milan, who sit third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Lazio also have a game in hand on their rivals and with four of their final six matches against sides currently in the bottom half of the table, the Eagles will fancy their chances of securing a top-four finish for the second successive season.

In their last five meetings against Genoa, Lazio have won three and scored 13 goals in the process; their last two home matches against the Rosseblu saw them win 4-1 in September 2018 and then 4-0 the following year.

The Eagles were only able to draw 1-1 against them earlier this campaign but securing all three points on Sunday could see Inzaghi's side consolidate a Europa League place and move nine points clear of city rivals Roma, if they were to lose to Sampdoria.

© Reuters

Genoa claimed a crucial victory last weekend when they beat Spezia 2-0 on home soil, thanks to second-half strikes from Gianluca Scamacca and Eldor Shomurodov.

The Rosseblu will still be nervously looking over their shoulder as they are just five points clear of the relegation zone heading into the final five Serie A matches of the campaign.

Genoa are still to face three sides who currently sit inside the league's top eight and although their run-in may prove challenging, manager Davide Ballardini is aware that one more victory could be enough to ease their fears of demotion.

After winning eight consecutive Serie A games against Lazio between 2011 and 2015, Genoa have since only won twice in the last 11 meetings against the Biancocelesti, drawing three and losing six in the process.

Securing all three points on Sunday would see Genoa reach 39 points, equalling their total from last season with four games still to play.

Team News

© Reuters

Midfielder Gonzalo Escalante is ruled out with a muscle problem, while defender Luis Filipe (ankle) and striker Felipe Caicedo (heel) are both doubtful.

Centre-back Francesco Acerbi is suspended which is likely to see Wesley Hoedt start in the back three alongside Adam Marusic and Stefan Radu.

Manuel Lazzari is set to start at right wing-back ahead of Mohamed Fares, while 35-year-old Senad Lulic is expected to keep his place on the opposite flank.

Immobile and Correa, who have scored 24 Serie A goals between them so far this campaign, are set to start in attack.

For Genoa, left-back Luca Pellegrini is ruled out with a thigh injury, while experienced forward Goran Pandev will serve a one-game ban after accumulating five yellow cards this season.

Domenico Criscito is in line to make his 200th Serie A appearance for Genoa, which would see him become the first player to reach this milestone with the Rossoblu in the 21st century.

Valon Behrami and Nicolo Rovella will both be hoping to start in midfield, but Kevin Strootman and Milan Badelj are set to be joined by Miha Zajc, who began the last match on the bench.

Mattia Destro is expected to lead the line and could be joined up front by one of three forwards; Scamacca, Shomurodov or Marko Pjaca.

Lazio possible starting lineup:
Reina; Marusic, Hoedt, Radu; Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva, Alberto, Lulic; Correa, Immobile

Genoa possible starting lineup:
Perin; Masiello, Radovanovic, Criscito; Biraschi, Strootman, Badelj, Zajc, Zappacosta; Scamacca, Destro

We say: Lazio 3-1 Genoa

Goals are to be expected on Sunday, as the net has been found 41 times in the last 10 meetings between Lazio and Genoa in all competitions, with both teams scoring on nine occasions.

The hosts will be the favourites for this clash, and we feel that they have enough quality in the final third to outscore their opponents and secure all three points at the Stadio Olimpico.