With matchweek 25 of the 2017/18 Serie A season almost over, there is just one more match that needs to be played. It features a side from near the top of the table and one from near the bottom as Lazio host Verona on Monday evening. The hosts go into the match in 5^th with a chance to push into the Champions League places while the visitors are just one place off bottom in 19^th.

STATS

• Lazio started the campaign in fine form but like Roma and Inter directly above them, they have struggled to keep pace with Juventus and Napoli who are 15 and 16 points ahead of 3^rd respectively. On the back of a six-match unbeaten run in the league, Lazio have failed to win any of their last five in all competitions. They face an uphill battle in the Europa League after being beaten 1-0 by Steaua Bucharest in their first-leg of their last 32 tie.
• Verona aren’t enjoying a good season and look destined for relegation with them five points from safety. They have just one win in their last seven league matches but it was an emphatic one. They travelled away to Fiorentina and managed to come away with a very unlikely 4-1 win, showing that they have enough quality to steer away from the drop zone. This is one of just four Serie A wins for them this term.
• Lazio have one of Europe’s hottest strikers right now, Ciro Immobile not only has 20 assists, he also has eight goals in the Italian top-flight. He is currently leading the race for the Golden Boot ahead of Mauro Icardi.
• Verona haven’t been able to find a prolific frontman, Moise Kean and Giampaolo Pazzini are their current top scorers in the league with four goals apiece.

HEAD TO HEAD

As this is Verona’s first season back in Serie A after two years away, the recent history between these sides isn’t particularly extensive. It’s Lazio who have the advantage as they have won each of the last four meetings with their upcoming opponents. They have won the last two by three goals which includes their 3-0 victory back in September where Immobile scored a brace. Out of their 12 fixtures since the start of the millennium, both teams have scored in nine of them.

LAZIO NEWS

Lazio can push back into fourth place with an inevitable win in front of their own fans. They should have Mauricio and Nani back for selection after their injuries while former Liverpool midfielder, Lucas Leiva will miss the match with a suspension.

Latest matches: Lazio Roma

15.02.2018	UEFA	Steaua Bucuresti	Lazio Roma	1:0	L
10.02.2018	Seri	SSC Napoli	Lazio Roma	4:1	L
05.02.2018	Seri	Lazio Roma	Genoa FC	1:2	L
31.01.2018	Copp	AC Milan	Lazio Roma	0:0	D
28.01.2018	Seri	AC Milan	Lazio Roma	2:1	L

VERONA NEWS

If Verona can pull off a shock win, they will move into 18^th, leaving a gap of just two points between themselves and safety. Alessio Cerci won’t play as he is still nursing a thigh injury but Mattia Zaccagni is expected to return.

Latest matches: Hellas Verona

11.02.2018	Seri	Sampdoria Genoa	Hellas Verona	2:0	L
04.02.2018	Seri	Hellas Verona	AS Roma	0:1	L
28.01.2018	Seri	AC Fiorentina	Hellas Verona	1:4	W
21.01.2018	Seri	Hellas Verona	FC Crotone	0:3	L
06.01.2018	Seri	SSC Napoli	Hellas Verona	2:0	L

SUMMARY

It would be unthinkable to predict anything other than a convincing Lazio win here. They are just far too good on the attack and Verona’s weak defence won’t be able to cope with that, as they didn’t in September. By Tuesday morning, expect Lazio to be back in the Champions League positions!