Our prediction for this Serie A match:
After holding Fiorentina to a draw at Stadio Artemio Franchi, Spezia will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they take on Lazio in the Serie A round 30. The Bianconeri failed to win the previous three league matches, with the team remaining in the danger zone, and, no doubt, Friday’s encounter is of big importance for the home side. Bastoni is banned for the match, while all Zovko, Moutinho, Agudelo, Holm, Caldara and Beck should miss out with injuries.
The Biancocelesti, on the other hand, are eyeing their fourth consecutive league win, and given their mature display in a 2-1 win over Juventus, we believe that away triumph should be considered. With no fresh injury worries to report, Maurizio Sarri is unlikely to make changes to the team that defeated “The Old Lady” at the weekend. As always, experienced forward Ciro Immobile will lead the line for the capital club.
Highlighted Player (Elseid Hysaj):
Born on 2nd February 1994, Elseid Hysaj is an Albanian defender who has spent his entire professional career in Italian Serie A and he is predicted a bright future in the game. Empoli scouts spotted his talent while he was playing for Shodra youth sides, and after three years in the youth team, the full-back was promoted to the first team set up.
Hysaj performed really well in his first three years as a first team regular, helping the Azzurri gain promotion to the top fight in the process. One season in Serie A proved enough for the right-sided defender to secure a big club move as he joined Napoli in the summer of 2015 and immediately nailed down a regular starting berth.
Capable of doing dirty defensive work as well as making forward runs, Hysaj is a modern full-back, who is destined for big things. The talented footballer is already a key member of the Albania national team and he will represent the country at the Euro 2016 finals.
Highlighted Team (Spezia):
Spezia is a professional Italian club based in Spezia, Liguria. The Bianconeri secured promotion to the Serie A in the 2019/20 season, with the team beating Frosinone in the Serie B playoffs final. Spezia are well known for their black and white home jerseys, and black is the dominant colour of their away kit.
The club’s home ground Stadio Alberto Picco has the capacity of 10,336 people. The venue was opened back in 1919, with architect Gregotti being in charge of the project. In 2002 the club chiefs decided to reach an agreement with Inter which saw Spezia become Inter’s feeder club.
As a result, the likes of Goran Pandev, Aco Stojkov, and Alex Cordaz joined the Bianconeri in the first season. Spezia then suffered a bankruptcy, but in 2008 they were re-founded. In the 2020/21 season the Bianconeri will compete in the Italian elite division for the first time ever.