Genoa vs Lazio

Stadio Luigi Ferraris sets the stage for a handsomely-looking Serie A encounter between mid-table Genoa and European hopefuls Lazio. 

Safe from relegation in their first season back in Serie A, Genoa will be seeking a strong finish off the back of a four-game unbeaten streak (W1, D3), bookended by a gutsy 1-1 draw at Fiorentina last time out. Following a narrow 1-0 victory in August’s reverse fixture, the Griffins could complete their first top-flight double over Lazio since 2014/15, when they won both legs via that exact scoreline. That same result saw ‘I Biancocelesti’ crash Alberto Gilardino’s side out of the Coppa Italia in December, highlighting the importance of drawing first blood. Worryingly for Gilardino, his men have conceded the opener in five of their last eight home league outings. But Luigi Ferraris has proved a fortress this term, with Genoa only losing twice in 12 home Serie A matches (W5, D5).

On the other hand, Lazio recovered from a couple of bad beats to arch-rivals Roma in Serie A and Juventus in the Coppa Italia, both of which saw them draw a blank, beating basement boys Salernitana 4-1 at home last time out. With two wins in three league matches under new boss Igor Tudor, the visitors remain in the European qualification picture, sitting seventh, albeit level on points with reigning holders Napoli. A lack of consistency on the road has plagued Lazio’s top-five ambitions as they’ve alternated between winning and losing on their last four Serie A travels (W2, L2). Bringing other competitions into the equation paints a bleak picture, with Tudor’s team suffering four defeats in their five most recent away games (W1), failing to find the net three times.