Lazio v Chievo – Preview: Injury-plagued Aquile face flying Gialloblu

Date: 24th April 2015 at 11:48am
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Klose - Lazio v EmpoliLazio take on Chievo at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday determined to get back to winning ways after the Biancoceleste’s eight match winning streak was ended by Juventus last weekend.

Stefano Pioli’s side are gunning to finish runners-up in Serie A ahead of rivals Roma, but are struggling with a plethora of injuries and face an on-form and defensively impressive Chievo side.

When the two sides met in November, the Aquile were haunted by former goalkeeper Albano Bizzarri who performed a string of excellent saves to earn the Verona outfit a 0-0 draw.

The Flying Donkeys’ coach Rolando Maran would certainly be satisfied with the same result this time around as their quick march away from relegation trouble continues.

Lazio’s 2-0 defeat to the Old Lady on Saturday evening ended a spectacular winning run and came at a further cost as Argentine playmaker Lucas Biglia picked up an ankle injury.

The World Cup finalist is likely to face three weeks or more out of action and joins Marco Parolo, Stefan De Vrij, Filip Djordjevic, Abdoulay Konko and Santiago Gentiletti on the injury list.

Romanian full back Stefan Radu could be fit to return to the side but the suspension of youngster Danilo Cataldi, who was sent off against Juventus, leaves Pioli short on numbers in midfield.

The absence of Parolo, Biglia and Cataldi could hand a rare opportunity for Cristian Ledesma and Eddy Onazi to make an impression, two players who have been marginalised throughout the season.

Antonio Candreva should regain his starting place after surprisingly being benched in Turin, but the winger will have his work cut out breaking down a robust Chievo defence that has conceded only twice in their last seven matches.

Maran’s side have picked up three wins, three draws and only one defeat in that time, a run of form that has seen the Gialloblu rise out of the relegation dogfight and into mid-table contention.

One man to keep an eye on is veteran striker Sergio Pellissier, as the Gialloblu’s 36-year-old captain has scored in both of his last two games.

Chievo are currently level on points with city neighbours Hellas Verona and the remainder of their season is likely to be spent attempting to stay ahead of their rivals.

Riccardo Meggiorini and Valter Birsa will sit out suspensions but long-term absentee Federico Mattiello is the only name on the visitor’s injury list.

Form Guide: Lazio (L-W-W-W-W), Chievo (D-W-L-W-W)

Expected Starting XIs

Lazio: Marchetti; Basta, Mauricio, Cana, Radu; Onazi, Ledesma, Lulic; Candreva, Klose, Anderson

Chievo: Bizzarri; Frey, Dainelli, Cesar, Zukanovic; Schelotto, Izco, Radovanovic, Hetemaj; Paloschi, Pellissier

 

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