Genoavs.Lazio

Alberto Gilardino's men are comfortable in mid-table and have little to play for aside from securing a higher standing in the table, but the same cannot be said for the Biancocelesti, who seek a Champions League spot next season.

Match preview

Genoa have had a commendable year back in the top division, underscored by their 12th-placed standing after 32 games when many tipped them for immediate relegation.

However, the ability to eke out results on their travels has meant Gilardino's men have not had to rely on points secured at the Marassi to boost survival prospects.

With 21 points secured at home and 18 accrued on their travels, the Rossoblu are looking toward ending in the competition's top half instead of glancing nervously at the teams behind them in the standings.

Regardless of this weekend's result, 12th-placed Genoa are assured of remaining in situ, with Lecce seven points behind and Monza in 11th, four points clear of Gilardino's men.

Nevertheless, with the Biancorossi winless in three (two losses) and only four points clear of the Rossoblu and Fiorentina distracted by European exertions, Gilardino's troops hope to record a positive result to put pressure on the sides directly above them.

Lazio may have other ideas, with Igor Tudor's men returning to winning ways last time out by thrashing Salernitana 4-1.

That opponent was the perfect one for the capital club, who went into gameweek 32 on a two-match losing run in all competitions after claiming back-to-back triumphs and needed maximum points to get back on track.

A top-four berth is mathematically possible but perhaps unrealistic because of the 10-point gap between the Biancocelesti and fourth-placed Bologna, meaning Lazio may have to make do with a potential fifth-place finish.

Tudor's men have played a game more than fifth-placed Roma — whose outstanding fixture is the final 18 minutes of the 90 at Udinese (it was 1-1 before the game's suspension) — and that gap could be reduced to three before the Giallorossi host Bologna next Monday.

Having suffered two defeats in the last three on the road — Lazio were the away side in the recent derby defeat — Tudor hopes to find consistency on his side's travels in the campaign's concluding weeks; that could be the difference between pushing for fifth or ending outside possible Champions League positions.

Genoa Serie A form:

L

L

D

D

W

D

Lazio Serie A form:

L

L

W

W

L

W

Lazio form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

L

W

Team News

Albert Gudmundsson has netted a goal each in Genoa's last three games — 1-1 against Frosinone, a 2-1 win at Hellas Verona and a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina — and the forward aims to score for the fourth game running on Friday.

Alan Matturro may not add to his five Serie A appearances, having had surgery on a muscle issue that has kept him out since February. Vitinha is absent with a leg injury, while Ruslan Malinovskyi and Junior Messias are battling hamstring issues.

Tudor may be forced into little or no alterations due to the absence of several pivotal players. Ciro Immobile (knee), Mattia Zaccagni (ankle), Luca Pellegrini (ankle), Matteo Guendouzi, Alessio Romagnoli (both shin) and Ivan Provedel are not anticipated to feature on Friday.

Luis Alberto, who set up one of Felipe Anderson's brace against Salernitana but caused a stir with his wantaway post-match remarks, should start for the away side seeking their eighth road win of the season.

Daichi Kamada and Anderson covered more ground than anyone else against the Serie A bottom side, and the pair should start for Tudor's side at the Marassi.

Genoa possible starting lineup:

Martinez; De Winter, Vasquez, Vogliacco; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Strootman, Martin; Gudmundsson, Retegui

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Mandas; Patric, Casale, Gila; Lazzari, Vecino, Kamada, Marusic; Anderson, Alberto; Castellanos

We say: Genoa 2-2 Lazio

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