Lazio vs Bologna

May 17, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Another disappointing season is drawing to a close for Lazio and the least they can do is try and end the league campaign with a win over relegated Bologna. Felsinei lost all chances to survive by losing at home to fellow strugglers Catania and it won’t be easy for them to find motivation to give their best at Stadio Olimpico.

Major squad rebuilding is needed

For the second year running Lazio will narrowly missed out on Europa League qualification, but having picked up just 53 points from 37 games, they cannot really argue they deserved more than that. This team have got some potential, with the likes of Ogenyi Onazi, Brayan Perea and Balde Keita showing plenty of potential, while more experienced players like Klose, Candreva, Ledesma and Mauri have more than enough quality needed to drive the Biancocelesti forward. However, at least few more quality players are needed if Lazio are to show any improvement next term, while some help from the dugout wouldn’t hurt either. The Biancocelesti have been terribly inconsistent this season, but have been showing some promise since Edy Reja took over and the game against Bologna will be a perfect opportunity for them to pay the fans back for all the support this season. And with their opponents going through a very rough patch at the moment, don’t be surprised if Lazio turn on the style and record a big win to say goodbye to the season.

Miroslav Klose should return to the starting line-up, but Ogenyi Onazi is banned and Ederson, Konko, Mauri and Marchetti are out injured.

Bologna back to Serie B

One of Italy’s oldest clubs and a founding member of Serie A return to the second division after five straight campaigns in the top flight and no doubt this will be a huge blow for the seven-time league champions. It is now clear Felsinei have failed to build on what was a very promising season last term, with club’s decision to cash in on star player Alessandro Diamanti midway through the league campaign proving a major mistake. One could argue that Bologna have more than enough quality to play at this level, but having played to perform to their potential they have nobody else to blame for relegation to Serie B but themselves. It was some shocking performances during the business end of the season that denied the team a chance to continue their Serie A campaign, with just three points from last eight league games clearly not enough to survive. Bologna had one last chance to keep their survival hopes alive as they hosted struggling Catania last weekend, but the 2-1 defeat to the Elephants marked the end of their hopes. And with players very low on spirits at the moment, one cannot expect them to fare any better against Lazio.

Panagiotis Kone, Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, Rolando Bianchi and Daniele Paponi are all suspended, whereas Francesco Della Rocca and Diego Perez are injured.

Verdict

Lazio are clearly not on top of their game, but the Biancocelesti have too much quality and experience among their ranks not to pour more misery on relegated Bologna. Felsinei have already given up on Serie A and I can see them suffering another disappointing defeat at Stadio Olimpico.

Top pick: Lazio/Lazio   2.20 (6/5) @ Betfair

Alternative pick 1: Lazio -1.5 Asian handicap   2.25 (5/4) @ bet365

Alternative pick 2: Lazio to win to nil   2.70 (17/10) @ Paddy Power

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