Serie A | Gameweek 26

Feb 22, 2025 at 2pm UK

Stadio Pierluigi Penzo

Venezia vs Lazio

Match preview

After back-to-back wins over Cagliari and Monza, a buoyant Lazio side had to settle for a point against Napoli last weekend when Boulaye Dia scored an 87th-minute equaliser at the Stadio Olimpico.

Gustav Isaksen had put the home side ahead before the Danish winger missed a sitter, but some poor defending threatened to leave them empty-handed.

An eventful 2-2 draw saw Lazio lose their grip on fourth place as Juventus drew level on points in the Derby d'Italia.

As well as Juve, Marco Baroni's men are also battling it out with Fiorentina, Bologna and AC Milan for a coveted Champions League spot, while arch-rivals Roma cannot be ruled out.

To help their cause this weekend, the Biancocelesti will be looking to win three consecutive away games in Italy's top flight for the first time since November 2022.

Inconsistent on the road this season, Lazio are yet to record an away draw in Serie A, having won seven and lost five away from home.

The capital club, who have won four straight league games against Saturday's hosts, beat Venetia 3-1 on the opening day of the season and will expect nothing less than victory at the Stadio Penzo.

Venezia's six Serie A victories over Lazio have all come on home soil, so history will be on their side in one respect at least.

The Lagunari are still winless away from home this season after Monday's narrow defeat in Genoa, and will be heavily reliant on picking up points at the Penzo to avoid dropping back down the table.

Sitting in 19th place and facing an immediate return to Serie B, the Lagunari have won a higher proportion of their points at home than any other club (75%, or 12 out of 16).

However, Eusebio Di Francesco's side are currently five points from safety, with their last win coming in December.

Having sold top scorer Joel Pohjanpalo to second-tier Palermo, the Arancioneroverdi have failed to find the back of the net in either of their last two outings, so new strikers Daniel Fila and Mirko Maric will need to find the net sooner rather than later.

Recent Performance

Venezia Serie A form:LDDLLL

Lazio Serie A form:DWLWWD

Lazio form (all competitions):WLLWWD

Team News

Lazio's push for a top-four finish has been dealt a blow with the news that star striker Taty Castellanos will be sidelined for up to a month after limping off against Napoli with a thigh injury.

Since his arrival at the start of last season, the Biancocelesti have won 54% of their Serie A fixtures with the Argentine on the pitch, but their record has plummeted to 17% without him - and they are averaging just 0.7 goals per game.

In addition, Matias Vecino and Elseid Hysaj remain sidelined, while midfield linchpin Nicolo Rovella is serving a suspension. He could be replaced by either Fisayo Dele-Bashiru or Reda Belahyane, while Boulaye Dia is likely to deputise for Castellanos.

Meanwhile, the hosts will be without first-choice goalkeeper Filip Stankovic, as well as Richie Sagrado, Domen Crnigoj and long-term absentee Michael Svoboda.

Gianluca Busio returns to the starting line-up after coming off the bench at Genoa, while Gaetano Oristanio - the only Venetian to have played in all 25 Serie A games this season - is expected to partner Daniel Fila up front.

Only Como star Nico Paz has completed more dribbles than Oristanio this term, with the former Inter Milan man tied with Rafael Leao at 45.

Possible starting lineup

Venezia possible starting lineup:

Radu; Marcandalli, Idzes, Cande; Zerbin, Perez, Nicolussi Caviglia, Busio, Ellertsson; Oristanio; Fila

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Dele-Bashiru; Isaksen, Pedro, Zaccagni; Dia