A pair of slow starters to this Serie A season bring the curtain down on matchday five as Genoa and Lazio clash searching for form.
Match News and Current Form
Goals have been in short supply for Genoa, who’ve netted just twice across a four-game winless start to the Serie A season (D2, L2). They last failed to win any of their first five league games back in 2017/18, and boss Patrick Vieira may be fearing a repeat here after his side squandered the lead in a 2-1 defeat to Bologna last weekend that saw them concede the decisive goal from the penalty spot in the 99th minute! He can take solace from Genoa’s respectable home record this term, as they’ve lost just one of four games on their own turf across all competitions (W2, D1).
Lazio sit just a point better off than their hosts here after losing three of their opening four games (W1), most painfully being beaten in the Derby della Capitale 1-0 by Roma last weekend. Manager Maurizio Sarri admitted his side’s carelessness, which saw them see two players sent off, “could be a problem” as they look to avoid losing four of their opening five Serie A games for the first time ever. Negative records will follow them everywhere in the event of another defeat, as the Eagles last lost their first three away league games back in 1969/70!
Head-to-Head History
Lazio have won the last four H2Hs without conceding a single goal, three of which came in Serie A. They’ve never won four H2Hs in a row in the top flight, while Genoa have won just two of their last 19 Serie A home games against sides from the Italian capital (D6, L11).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Genoa have trailed at half-time in six of their last seven home H2Hs.
Genoa won a comfortable league-high 60 tackles in the opening four Serie A rounds.
Lazio have conceded 75% of their Serie A goals this season after half-time, but scored 75% of their league goals before the break.
None of Lazio’s last five matches saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Genoa’s Ruslan Malinovskyi has sat out the last three H2Hs, but has an encouraging record against Lazio having directly contributed to three goals in five starts against them (G2, A1). Lazio could turn to Mattia Zaccagni for an improvement in attack since his last 11 scoring club appearances all ended in victory.
Genoa have been without Jean Onana and Maxwel Cornet this term, while Lazio lost both Pedro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru to injury against Roma in a game that also saw both Mattéo Guendouzi and Reda Belahyane sent off.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
This high stakes clash between two goal-shy sides means backing under 2.5 goals seems a safe route to take.
Author: Ryan Fisher