Our prediction for this Serie A match:
Verona and Lazio face each other at Stadio Marc’s Antonio Bentegodi in what is expected to be an interesting Serie A game. The Mastini aim to escape the relegation zone, and their displays at the start of 2023 are surely giving fans a reason for optimism. The good news for the hosts is that important defender Pawel Dawidowicz is back from suspension, whilst all Ajdin Hrustic, Miguel Veloso, Thomas Henry, and Marco Davide Faraoni are out of contention with injuries.
The Biancocelesti, on the other hand, aim to stay in the Champions League berth. Lazio’s display in a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina, though, was anything but brilliant, which is the main reason why we are going to put our money on draw. Fit-again striker Ciro Immobile should be recalled to the starting XI, with Pedro likely to drop to the bench.
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 (Lazio):
Lazio Roma are an Italian football club based in Rome. Lazio were founded in 1900 and they compete in the Serie A. The Biancocelesti (The White and Sky Blues) have won two Serie A trophies (1973/1974, 1999/2000), while lifting six Coppa Italia titles.
The capital club play their home games at Stadio Olimpico and Roma are regarded as Lazio’s main rivals.
The two teams face each other in the Derby della Capitale and it is considered the fiercest inter-city derby in Italy. Lazio won UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999, with the team beating Mallorca in the title game. The same year they managed to clinch the UEFA Super Cup trophy as they outplayed English giants Manchester United at Stade Louis II, Monaco.
The likes of Pavel Nedved, Giuseppe Favalli, Juan Sebastian Veron, Sinisa Mihajlovic, Roberto Mancini, Giuseppe Signori, Miroslav Klose and Simone Inzaghi are notable footballers who played for Lazio in the past.