Lazio face another test of their Champions League credentials when they host Parma in the Italian capital on Wednesday evening.
With just six games remaining in the Serie A season, Lazio are under pressure to find their best form, while Parma are bidding to lift spirits as the uncertainty surrounding their future continues.
Lazio
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A few weeks ago it seemed like nothing could stop Stefano Pioli and his Lazio players as they continued their surprise bid for Champions League football by recording eight successive victories in Serie A.
However, that momentum has been halted in the last two matches after defeat to Juventus was followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw with Chievo at the weekend.
During the aforementioned run of wins, Lazio were helped by the below-par performances of both Roma and Napoli, but the spotlight is now on them as they look to secure one of the two qualification spots and handling that pressure could be the biggest challenge.
After finishing ninth in the previous campaign, very few people could have expected Pioli's side to be in pole position to clinch second place behind runaway leaders Juventus, and in truth, this season must be considered a success regardless of what happens over the next few weeks.
Despite their impressive progress this season, the fans will only feel disappointment if Napoli and fierce rivals Roma replace them in the top three, and the race for the Champions League could come down to the matches against those two sides in the final two weeks of the campaign.
Lazio currently lead Roma by one point and hold a three-point advantage over Napoli, but they simply can't afford to slip up against a team playing without pressure at the Stadio Olimpico.
Recent form: WWWWLD
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWLD
Parma
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A disastrous season on and off the pitch for Parma is almost over, but out of the wreckage which has been left by the financial crisis, the players and coaching staff are restoring pride with some admirable performances.
Many fans were expecting the inevitable relegation to be confirmed at the weekend before another battling performance earned Roberto Donadoni's side a 1-0 victory over Palermo.
It was another impressive result in a run which has seen them record a shock win over champions elect Juventus and lose just once in six league matches.
Despite not being paid all season, the players are being praised for their performances in a dire situation and the team's current form suggests that relegation may not have been so inevitable had they not been deducted seven points over the course of the campaign.
The future of the club remains in doubt as they continue to look for new investors in the hope that they can compete in Serie B next season, but the possibility of being forced to start again at amateur level remains realistic as the current group of players prepare for what could be their final six matches with Parma.
Recent form: DWWLDW
Team News
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Concerns about Lazio's creativity in recent weeks could see Pioli make changes as he looks to boost morale heading into the closing stages of the season.
Senad Lulic could be forced to settle for a place on the bench should Pioli decide to hand a start to Ederson, but Miroslav Klose is likely to lead the line again with support from Felipe Anderson.
Antonio Nocerino is expected to keep his place in the Parma side after scoring the winner against Palermo, while Andi Lila is pushing for a recall in place of Pedro Mendes.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Marchetti, Basta, Radu, Mauricio, Novaretti, Ledesma, Candreva, Onzai, Ederson, Anderson, Klose
Parma possible starting lineup:
Mirante, Gobbi, Costa, Lila, Feddal, Jorquera, Nocerino, Mauri, Varela, Coda, Ghezzal
Head To Head
Lazio star Anderson, who is a reported target for a number of Europe's top clubs, was the hero in the reverse fixture back in December as he scored the winner in a nervy 2-1 victory for his side.
It was a familiar feeling for Lazio, who have won the last three meetings and are unbeaten in the previous seven matches between the two sides.
Current Sassuolo forward Sergio Floccari scored twice in Parma's last win against Lazio in March 2012.
We say: Lazio 1-0 Parma
Parma are playing with the freedom created by the difficult conditions at the club, and they will be a dangerous opponent for the Champions League hopefuls. However, Lazio should return to form with victory in front of their home fans.
Callum Mulvihill
