Brescia improved their survival chances with last week’s victory over bottom-placed Bari, but in order to finally leave the relegation zone the Rondinelle will have to beat high-flying Lazio. The Biancocelesti failed to beat Chievo at home, so this will be a good opportunity for them to make things right and keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Brescia still struggling

Brescia started this season in remarkable fashion, having won three straight Serie A games after the opening defeat in Parma, but the Rondinelle then embarked on a five-match losing run that saw them return to where they really belong. Following the dismal run of results, club president Gino Corioni sacked coach Beppe Iachini to bring Mario Beretta, but Iachini returned to the bench after the 3:0 home defeat to Chievo and he will be given a chance to save the team from relegation, unless the president again changes his mind. Brescia managed to boost their survival chances as they beat sorry Bari last weekend and another win would take them out of the relegation zone, although they definitely face an uphill task against very good Lazio side.

The hosts will be without three first team regulars in this match as keeper Matteo Sereni, defender Simone Dallamano and midfielder Cristiano Zanetti are missing out through injury. Team’s top scorer Andrea Caracciolo will again start on bench.

Lazio slipped to fourth

Lazio most be considered one of the surprise packages of the season as not too many people expected the Biancocelesti to fight for the Champions League places this term before the season started. Nonetheless, Edy Reja’s side have shown a lot of potential this term and they fully deserve the high position in the standings. After sharing spoils with leaders Milan and Chievo, Lazio’s fourth place is in danger, meaning the visitors have got to try and beat struggling Brescia if they want to remain in the driving seat as far as the European qualification is concerned. Lazio have been far from impressive on the travels lately, but they had won four out of first five away games this season, which proves they can bring points from the road on their day.

Sergio Floccari, Stefan Radu, Simone Del Nero, Javier Garrido, Mobido Diakite, Mourad Meghni and Tommaso Rocchi are all sidelined, but Edy Reja should, nevertheless, be able to field a very strong line-up with stars like Hernanes, Mauri and Zarate.

Verdict

I am not too convinced by Brescia this season and the win over bottom-placed Bari cannot change my opinion. The hosts are also without three key players, which should prove to be a big problem against very good Lazio side. My money’s on Lazio.

Our prediction: Away win

Odds: 2.50 (3/2)

Bookmaker: Victor Chandler