Lazio vs Bologna: Preview and Prediction

Lazio vs Bologna
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 16 October 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome).

With Napoli and Roma – who are in second and third – facing off on Saturday, the Serie A rankings for the teams below them could change by the time matchday eight finishes. Lazio, who currently sit on 13 points, are in fourth spot as of the start of this current round. Should they win this game, they could find themselves in a Champions League spot.

After a difficult start, the Biancocelesti appear to have turned a corner. Simone Inzaghi’s side have only lost one of their last five games, and come into this match having won two on the trot. A 3-0 thrashing of Udinese will have left them feeling confident, with Ciro Immobile netting a brace on either side of a Keita Balde Diao effort.

Immobile in particular was impressive over the international hiatus, as he scored yet another double to give Italy a well-deserved 3-2 win over Macedonia and to avoid what would have been an utterly embarrassing result for the Azzurri. Although they will be missing Jordan Lukaku (younger brother of the better-known Romelu), Lucas Biglia, and Bastos for this game, first-choice shot-stopper Federico Marchetti has returned to action and will be reinstated in the starting XI.

Bologna, by contrast, are a side in trouble. Roberto Donadoni will be missing pretty much at least one player in every possible position, either due to injury or suspension. Alfred Gomis, Antonio Mirante, Daniele Gastaldello, Blerim Dzemaili and Mattia Destro will all be unavailable, with key striker Destro suffering from a calf injury.

The Rossoblu also have not beaten Lazio since March 11, 2012. Since then, they have managed to draw three times – including 2-2 last season – and lost three.

Lazio vs Bologna Head-to-Head statistics

• Lazio have won 15, drawn four, and lost one of their last 20 home games against teams ranked lower than them in the table.
• Bologna have won just two out of their last 20 away matches against teams higher than them in the table (six draws, 12 losses).
• The Biancocelesti have conceded one goal at the Stadio Olimpico this season (a 1-0 loss to Juventus).
• Bologna have failed to win their last 10 away games.
• The Aquile have scored at least two goals in 5 out of their last six home matches.

Lazio vs Bologna: Prediction

Bologna’s awful home record – which has seen them lost ten on the road – could prove to be costly here. Not surprisingly, the Rossoblu have difficulty keeping clean sheets away from their home ground and have conceded nine already this term. The injury and suspension crisis naturally will not help Roberto Donadoni’s side, and then there’s the fact that Lazio have conceded just one goal at the Stadio Olimpico.

Add in Immobile’s inspired form, and all signs point to a victory here for the hosts. It may not be like the 6-0 rout Lazio earned a couple of seasons back, but they should have just enough to see off the Rossoblu and make it a third straight win on the trot.

Lazio vs Bologna: Betting tips

• Lazio to win at 1/2 (1.50)
• Under 2.5 goals at 9/10 (1.90)