We’re all set for Serie A Matchday 28, which will see Lazio and Udinese lock horns for the 90th time. The head-to-head record stands at 25 Udinese wins, 41 Lazio triumphs and 23 draws. The last time the Zebrette claimed a victory over Lazio was back on November 2020, with goals coming from Tolgay Arslan, Ignacio Pussetto and Fernando Forestieri, before Ciro Immobile clawed a goal back from the spot. Despite enjoying home advantage the Biancocelesti have not won any of their last three league matches in Rome.
Both teams head into this fixture not in the best of form. Lazio have lost four of their last six league matches, while Udinese have won only one of their nine most recent games – an impressive away victory over Juventus. Concentration levels at certain moments of matches have defined these two sides: only Inter have conceded fewer goals than Lazio in the first 15 minutes of the match in Serie A 2023/24 (one); in turn Udinese have conceded just once in the quarter of an hour following the half-time break, the best team in the competition in this regard.
Udinese have made fewer passes than any other team in this Serie A season: 6858, over 4500 fewer than Lazio, who sit sixth in this ranking. However, the visitors have attempted 48 more shots than the Biancocelesti so far this campaign (338 to 290 respectively). This is in part thanks to the team’s ability to dribble, a fundamental skill in which Udinese’s players excel (261 successful dribbles – bettered by no other Serie A team). Lazar Samardzic is fourth in the current edition with 33 dribbles completed, with Lazio's Mattia Zaccagni is in first place (40).
Florian Thauvin has been involved in three goals in his last eight Serie A appearances (two goals and one assist). Following his cross which led to a goal against Salernitana, the Frenchman has the chance to provide an assist in two consecutive matches in Europe for the first time since October 2020. Then we have Nehuen Perez, the defender who has won the most tackles in this current season (37 ) and is second for clearances (114). Hassane Kamara, who scored last time out, will once again be asked to contribute with pressing. The left winger is ranked second for balls won in the final third of the pitch (12).