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Serie A football returns in 2016 with the 18th round of action and Lazio Roma will try to pick up where they left off in 2015, as they host relegation strugglers Carpi at Olimpico.
Lazio’s season has not been great so far, as the team sits on the 10th place in Serie A – particularly due to a very poor stretch of games in November and December. However, the hosts picked themselves up just as 2015 was about to end and finished the year with two consecutive 2-1 victories against Udinese and Inter Milan. That has surely given Lazio confidence coming into this year and they will try to keep up the run, particularly as this is an accessible match on paper.
Carpi (19th place) has done an acceptable job this season considering the lack of quality in the squad, but they are still 6 points behind the first non relegating place, so things aren’t looking good. The visitors have lost the last 2 matches in Serie A and 6 out of the 8 road games played in the league – though they did win at Frosinone in the Coppa Italia before losing to Juventus in their last match of 2015.
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Team news & lineups:
Lazio continues to struggle with injuries, as Gentiletti, Marchetti, De Vrij, Lulic and Kishna are still out, while Basta might not be ready to come back. Also, Savic and Biglia are suspended. Carpi misses Fedele and Bubnjic.
Lazio: Berisha – Konko, Hoedt, Mauricio, Radu – Parolo, Cataldi, Onazi – Candevra, Matri, Felipe Anderson
Carpi: Belec – Zaccardo, Romagnoli, Gagliolo, Letizia – Pesciuti, Lollo, Cofie, Martinho – Lasagna, Borriello
Carpi has been pretty much useless against the good Serie A teams on the road this season and I don’t think they stand a serious chance to spring an upset at Olimpico, against a rejuvenated and motivated Lazio side.
I expect the hosts to make full use of their home court advantage and start 2015 with a solid victory. They might not yet be back at their best as they continue to miss players from the starting lineup, but they do not need their A game to win this match. Carpi allows 2 goals per game in average, so Lazio should be able to cover the spread as well. Look for the hosts to dominate possession and put pressure on Carpi from the start. My tip is a Lazio win with a 1 goal asian handicap. Prediction: Lazio – Carpi 2-0.
Pick: Lazio (-1 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.70 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.60
Event date: 6 January
