Chievo vs Lazio preview
People might not have expected to see a side like Chievo sitting one point back of league leaders Inter Milan four matches into the Serie A season, but such is the case as the little club that could will
play host to the giants from the capital, Lazio.
Recent form
Chievo, who only gained promotion to the Italian top flight a few seasons ago in 2008-09, proved in midweek that they are something to talk about as they came away with an impressive 3-1 victory over Napoli.
After starting the season strong with two wins out of two, the tiny club from Verona were brought down off cloud nine with a 0-1 loss to Brescia who sit tied with Chievo in second place on nine points.
Lazio are not far behind sandwiched between Catania and Cesena on goal difference all on seven points. Lazio had to settle for a draw in midweek against a formidable AC Milan squad that is always tough
to get points from. They have, however, managed to secure full points from Fiorentina and Bologna. Their only loss came to Sampdoria on the opening week of the season.
Players to watch
Scrolling over the game sheet and one might not be taken aback by any high profile players in either of these squads. However, Chievo striker Sergio Pellissier currently sits in second place behind Inter
Milan's Samuel Eto'o in league scoring with four goals already. More notably, Pellissier has scored in all three of the club's victories, meaning that when he scores, the rest of the squad can be expected to get a lift and rally behind him.
Lazio can not yet boast a striker to have hit the target with the type of consistency as Pellissier, but in a sense that might make them more difficult to defend against as their threat will be less easy
to target. Look to striker Sergio Floccari, the man who scored the late equalizer against Milan in midweek, to be the man Lazio look to for more heroics.
What to expect
If recent form were the only factor in determining the outcome of any match, one would likely conclude a tough fought victory for Chievo who also have the added benefit of playing on their home ground.
There is, however, the heavy weight of expectation - something which Lazio carry with them with the start of every new season. Chievo, on the other hand, are in the happy position of playing with the house's money and will ride the wave as long as it lasts
or until someone figures them out and roots them back to Earth. Lazio will spend the better part of the match figuring out the Chievo game plan and neutralizing the threat. Once it's done, there won't be any time left for goals. Expect a scoreless draw.
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