Verdict: Lazio win
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In need of a minor miracle if they re to secure a European finish this year, Lazio will welcome a resurgent Bologna to the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night.
Lazio
Starting with the hosts, after lifting the Coppa Italia title thanks to a 2-0 win over Atalanta last week, Simone Inzaghi will be desperate for his side to build off of that result. Sat five points adrift of reclaiming their spot in the Europa League with just two matches remaining, fans around the Stadio Olimpico will be boosted by Lazio s performances at the back end of the season. Despite their well-publicized issues entering 2019, I Biancocelesti have now won four of their last five matches across all competitions, including their Cup-winning showing in Roma last week. If Monday s hosts are to pull of a remarkable European push, then Inzaghi will be looking for the in-form Felipe Caicedo to carry on his bright end to the year. The 30-year-old has registered four goals in his last five Serie A appearances. Arguably saving their best performances for the back end of the season, Lazio will also be boosted by their stellar record against Monday s visitors. Picking up a 2-0 win when the two sides met back on Boxing Day, the White and Sky Blues are unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Bologna, a run that stems back to November 2012.
Team News
Simone Inzaghi will be without left-back Jordan Lukaku and center midfielder Valon Berisha due to knee issues. Center back Stefan Radu will be ineligible thanks to suspension.
Bologna
As for the visitors, while many around the Stadio Renato Dall Ara would have been concerned by Bologna s Serie A status entering 2019, few in Italy would have expected their stellar end to the year. Coming off the back of another eye-catching display in their 4-1 win at home to Parma last week, former AC Milan boss Siniša Mihajlović has seen his side win three of their last four outings and have tasted defeat just once since the 4th of April. Climbing up to 14th in the table and now dreaming of securing a very surprising top-half finish, one man to watch on Monday will be leading goalscorer, Riccardo Orsolini. Finding the net against Parma last week, the 22-year-old now has three in his last four Serie A appearances. While Bologna might be enjoying a bright end to the year, Mihajlović will have some minor concern about his sides form on the road. I Rossoblu have lost four of their last six matches away from the Stadio Renato Dall Ara and have managed to pick up just one away win since the start of February.
Team News
Sinisa Mihajlovic is missing right back Federico Mattiello due to injury, while left back Mitchell Dijks is set to miss out via suspension.
Key Factors to Consider
Lazio picked up a 2-0 win when the two sides met at the Stadio Renato Dall Ara on Boxing Day.
Monday s hosts are unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Bologna, a run that stems back to November 2012.
Bologna have won just one of their last six matches on the road.
Lazio s Felipe Caicedo has scored four goals in his last five Serie A appearances.
Bologna s Riccardo Orsolini has three goals in his last four Serie A appearances.
Conclusion
With Lazio knowing that Monday s contest is a must win if they re to keep any chance of a Europa League finish alive, there is no doubt that Simone Inzaghi will be calling for a huge performance from his side. After picking up the Coppa Italia title in impressive fashion at the Stadio Olimpico last week, we re backing the hosts to come away with the victory on Monday night.
Verdict: Lazio win
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