Prediction: Brescia vs Lazio

12th February 2011

Brescia improved their survival chances as they beat struggling Bari at home and another win would take them out of the bottom three. Lazio, on the other hand, squandered a one-goal lead against Chievo, so the Biancocelesti are hoping to make things right in this match.

After Brescia reacted to the opening defeat to Parma with three straight victories, not too many people would have dared to predict that the team would be fighting for survival this season. However, the Rondinelle then lost five games in a row, thus hinting they could be in for a difficult season after all. Coach Beppe Iachini was sacked following the poor run of results only to be reinstated a couple of months later and he can be happy with team’s latest results. After holding Roma to 1:1 draw at Olimpico, Brescia beat bottom-placed Bari last weekend and they are now just one point behind safety. However, the Rondinelle could have problems against in-form Lazio, especially as they will be without no less than three very important players. Cristiano Zanetti, Matteo Sereni and Simone Dallamano are all out with injuries, and there is no doubt they will be sorely missed.

Following 12th-place finish last season, Lazio desperately wanted to show some improvement this term and I doubt they could have done much better as the Biancocelesti currently sit in 4th place, as a result of some impressive showings throughout the league campaign. Coach Edy Reja managed to get the best out of his not-really-world-class squad and Lazio now have a great chance to clinch the Champions League berth. After beating Fiorentina and sharing spoils with Milan, the Biancocelesti missed a great chance to further improve their position as they couldn’t hold on to the lead against Chievo, but they will try to make amends for that in the Brescia game. Sergio Floccari, Stefan Radu, Simone Del Nero, Javier Garrido, Mobido Diakite, Mourad Meghni and Tommaso Rocchi are all sidelined, but Edy Reja will, nonetheless, have the courtesy of choosing from a very good squad.

Conclusion

Struggling Brescia could have real problems in this match as they are without two key players at the moment, which is something a side like Lazio will now how to take advantage of. The visitors have been playing really well this season and I can see them getting all three points from Stadio Mario Rigamonti.

Verdict: Away win Lazio (2)

Best Odds: 3/2

Bookmaker: Victor Chandler