JAKARTA - Lazio returned to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday 20 December after recording an almost impossible away win last week. Cremonese was their last guest in Serie A before the Christmas break, with the two teams in the standings only two points apart and Lazio slightly ahead.
Lazio's victory at Parma last week was one of the most dramatic stories of the season. Playing with nine men after captain Mattia Zaccagni and midfielder Toma Basic were sent off, Maurizio Sarri's team was able to score the decisive goal in the final minutes through substitute striker Tijjani Noslin.
The result extended Lazio's positive streak in December. Previously, they eliminated AC Milan from the Coppa Italia and held the on-fire Bologna to a 1-1 draw. Lazio are now eighth in the Serie A standings and slowly building a reputation as a team that is difficult to beat.
One of the keys to consistency is Ivan Provedel. The Lazio goalkeeper has recorded eight clean sheets in the league this season, the highest in Serie A, and his best record at this stage since the 2022-23 season. At home, Lazio has only lost once in eight league games, with five wins, including a victory over Milan in the cup.
The record of meetings also favors the hosts. In Serie A matches in Rome, Lazio are unbeaten in the last eight meetings against Cremonese, with seven wins and one draw.
For Cremonese, trips to the capital rarely end well. The club from Lombardy has never recorded a clean sheet in 12 Serie A visits to the Stadio Olimpico, against both Lazio and Roma. Of those, they suffered 10 defeats and only one win, which happened more than three decades ago.
Even so, Cremonese is not an opponent who can be underestimated. As a promotion team that rose through the playoffs last season, Davide Nicola's troops performed quite solidly. They are in 11th place with 20 points, after defeating big teams like Milan and Bologna.
But the latest trend is less encouraging. After losing only once in the first nine games, Cremonese now lost four times in the last six games, including a 0-1 defeat to Torino last week. In the match, the duet of Jamie Vardy and Federico Bonazzoli failed to make a significant impact, with the team only recording three shots on target.
Cremonese's away record so far has been impressive for the promotion team, with 11 points scored away from home. However, the match at the Olimpico will be the next big test.
In terms of the team, Lazio comes with a long list of absences. Toma Basic must undergo a two-match ban, while Zaccagni is also absent due to suspension. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Boulaye Dia are ready for the African Cup of Nations. Gustav Isaksen, Samuel Gigot, and Nicolo Rovella are still injured.
The good news is that Patric and Matteo Cancellieri have returned to play, while Mario Gila is available again after missing last week due to suspension. With Zaccagni's absence, Noslin has the opportunity to be trusted again after being a hero in Parma.
Cremonese also lost a player due to card accumulation, namely Martin Payero. Jeremy Sarmiento, Alberto Grassi, and Michele Collocolo are still sidelined, but Matteo Bianchetti and Mikayil Faye are ready to return to strengthen the back line.
The match prediction leads to a tight match with controlled tempo. Lazio is not in ideal condition, but its mental strength and solid defense at home are the difference.
If Lazio can dampen the threat of Vardy and Bonazzoli, one goal is likely enough to secure a home win and close the year with a positive record.
Player Forecast
Lazio: Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Vecino; Cancellieri, Castellanos, Noslin
Cremonese: Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti; Barbieri, Zerbin, Bondo, Vandeputte, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy
Prediction: Lazio 1-0 Cremonese
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