Udinese missed a great opportunity to close the gap behind third-placed Lazio having lost at home to Inter, but Zebrette will have a chance to make amends as they welcome the Biancocelesti to Friuli.

Edy Reja’s side are just one point clear of fourth-placed Napoli after the shock defeat to Novara and they, too, will have something to prove in this match.

While Francesco Guidolin’s side have been pretty impressive in the first part of the season, it is a real wonder that they are still in the race for Champions League places in spite of some under-par performances of late.

Udinese slipped to fifth place following the run of just one victory in last nine league games, with the 3-1 defeat to Inter in midweek acting as a major blow to their Champions League hopes.

The Zebrette are aware they will be effectively out of the race if they fail to beat Lazio, but at odds of 2.20 (6/5) offered by bet365 they don’t look worth backing.

Antonio Floro Flores misses out through suspension, while Mauricio Isla, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Andrea Coda and Damiano Feronetti are out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-1-1): Handanovic – Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi – Basta, Pinzi, Pazienza, Asamoah, Armero – Abdi – Di Natale.

Lazio have spent much of the league campaign just behind title contenders Juventus and Milan, but the latest poor run of results is threatening to hurt their Champions League hopes.

The Biancocelesti have lost five of their last eight Serie A games, with midweek’s defeat to already relegated Novara probably the lowest point of their season.

With Napoli and Inter closing the gap behind them, Lazio have no choice but to try and win in Udine, and they are 3.80 (14/5) with BetVictor to do so.

That will be no easy task when we know that the Biancocelesti have lost 10 of last 12 away games in all competitions and maybe a draw would be a more realistic outcome.

Antonio Candreva is banned, while Senad Lulic, Miroslav Klose, Marius Stankevicius, Hernanes and Christian Brocchi all miss out through injury.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-1-1): Marchetti – Diakite, Dias, Biava – Konko, Gonzalez, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Scaloni – Mauri – Rocchi.