<span class="titolo">Serie A Preview: Lazio - Udinese</span></p> <span class="sommario">What: Serie A, Week Nine Who: Lazio (13th, 10 pts) v Udinese (7th, 12 pts) When: 15:00 CET - Sunday, October 28, 2007 Where: Stadio Olimpico, Rome</span></p> Despite their extremely disappointing form of late, Lazio are only two points behind this week’s opponent Udinese, who are in joint-fifth place.</p> Having grabbed their second win of the league season last week against Livorno, the Biancocelesti now have a great opportunity to move further up the league. Udinese on the other handwill be looking to consolidate a position in the top half of the table.</p> Leaky defence Lazio’s loss</p> The primary cause of Lazio’s poor form has been their defence. Decimated by injuries and a lack of squad depth, their backline has repeatedly made basic errors and conceded far too many goals.</p> The failure to sign a quality first choice goalkeeper has also been an issue, with only 43-year old Marco Ballotta and inexperienced Uruguayan Fernando Muslera options in goal. Last season, the Biancocelesti defence was considered one of the most impenetrable in Serie A.</p> This season it is like a sieve andstronger teams such as Milan have taken advantage of this weakness, thrashing them 5-1. In theforthcoming weeks, Lazio will face muchmore prestigiousopposition than they have inrecent matches and a defensive improvement will be needed to avoid more drubbings.</p> Injuries have also struck the midfield with Cristian Ledesma and Stefano Mauri set to be out for at least a month. The failed transfer campaign could potentially kill their season and unless reinforcements arrive in January, Le Aquile may be in danger of sinking into a relegation battle.</p> Such an occurrence would be unthinkable as this was a side intending to compete for a top four position.</p> Udinese looking to consolidate</p> The last time the Zebrette travelled to the Olimpico and played Lazio, they were humiliated 5-0. This time around, Udinese are in better form and with the attacking talent at their disposal could be set to heap more misery onto a struggling Biancocelesti outfit.</p> Udinese’s major strength is up front with Antonio Di Natale, Asamoah Gyan, Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Floro Flores all quality players and certain to cause problems for a shaky Lazio backline.</p> Clinical finishing was something the Fruiliani lacked against Palermo however, with their strikers all missing simple opportunities and costing the side two points. The Biancocelesti may be in poor form, but they will certainly punish such wastefulness in front of goal and Udinese will need to make the most of their chances in this clash.</p> RECENT FORM GUIDE</p> Lazio </p> 24/10 A Werder Bremen 1-2</p> 21/09 A Livorno 1-0</p> 07/10 H AC Milan 1-5</p> 03/10 H Real Madrid 2-2</p> 30/09 A Reggina Calcio 1-1</p> Udinese </p> 21/10 H Palermo 1-1</p> 06/10 A Atalanta 0-0</p> 30/09 H Parma 2-1</p> 26/09 A Genoa 2-3</p> 22/09 H Reggina Calcio 2-0</p> TEAM NEWS</p> Lazio</p> Stefano Mauri suffered a serious injury against Livorno and willbe out fora month. Fabio Firmani joins him on the sidelines after being sent off in the same game while captain Luciano Zauri has exceeded his yellow card limit and is also suspended.</p> Aleksandar Kolarov should start at left back with either De Silvestri or Behrami to start at right back. Mudingayi returns to the starting XI, yet Sebastiano Siviglia is likely to ahve to settle for a place on the bench. Marco Ballotta will start in goal.</p> Possible Starting XI: Ballotta; Behrami, Stendardo, Scaloni, Kolarov; Mudingayi, Baronio, Mutarelli; Manfredini; Pandev, Rocchi</p> Udinese </p> Despite struggling since his arrival from Sampdoria, Quagliarella will start for Udinese alongside Asamoah and Di Natale. Both Cristian Obodo and Giampiero Pinzi are unavailable. Apart from these two players, manager Pasquale Marino has a full squad to choose from and is likely to select the same XI whichbegan against Palermo.</p> Possible Starting XI: Handanovic; Zapata, Felipe, Lukovic; Mesto, D'Agostino, Inler, Dossena; Quagliarella, Asamoah, Di Natale</p> PLAYERS TO WATCH </p> Goran Pandev (Lazio)</p> The Macedonian is undoubtedly the star player of this Lazio side and big money transfers to the likes of Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid have been rumoured. His partnership with striker Tommaso Rocchi was vital last season and whilethe ex-Empoli manhas yet to hit his straps this season, positive signs have been shown.</p> Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)</p> The Italian international was arguably thepeninsula's most in form player only a few weeks ago and he will be keen toreproduce that stunning form on Sunday. Having recently scored goals for both the Zebrette and forhis country, the Neapolitan has been linked with big money moves to Milan and Roma. The 30-year old is the key man in a dangerous attacking trio for Udinese and could take advantage of a questionable Lazio backline.</p> PREDICTION</p> This truly is a match that could go either way and depends on the solidarity of the Lazio defence, the clinical finishing of the Udinese attack and the creativity of each team's midfield. Whichever side takes its chances will win, although a draw is probably the safest prediction.</p> </p> Valon Behrami</p> </p>
