The excitement of Serie A keeps going, and Monday's 19th January 2026 game between Lazio and Como should provide another entertaining showdown between two tactically oriented teams, as both teams are still fighting to secure European qualification, which means that every point of the 3-point system can mean the difference between qualifying for Europe and missing out; Lazio's goal is to recover after a disappointing start to this season, and Como's target is to improve their performance away since being coached by Cesc Fabregas.
Match Information
- Match: Serie A
- Date: 19th January 2026
- Time: 07:45 PM (UTC)
- Location: Stadio Olimpico (Rome)
Lazio: Great Players, Poor Performances
Lazio comes into this match on the back of a hard-fought victory, beating Hellas Verona 1-0 thanks to an own goal in the 79th minute from Victor Nelsson; however, despite getting the points, the Biancocelesti have been struggling to keep their form consistent, getting points in at least four out of their last five Serie A games. Maurizio Sarri's squad has had problems alternating between losses and draws. Fans of Lazio expect more from a squad with the talent of Matteo Cancellieri and Mattia Zaccagni.
Historically, Lazio's home ground at Stadio Olimpico has been referred to as a 'fortress'; however, they have had their ups and downs with respect to home form. Lazio have not been successful in their past four home league games, having conceded goals in two of those four home league games. However, as a team, Lazio do feature some defensive strength in general, with Lazio keeping a clean sheet in one of their home leagues games (50%) and averaging 1.83 goals scored per home game. With the return of Zaccagni from suspension, Sarri is expected to regain some of his team's creative ability in the midfield and provide Cancellieri with the service needed to exploit the holes in Como's defense.
Injuries have compounded Lazio's challenges this season, with several important players being sidelined: Patric is out with muscle issues, Toma Bašić with an adductor injury, and Samuel Gigot out following ankle surgery, and Boulaye Dia is serving a suspension (yellow cards), but it is likely that Sarri will continue with his preferred 4-3-3 formation, starting Ivan Provedel, Adam Marusic, Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli, Luca Pellegrini, Kenneth Taylor, Danilo Cataldi, Reda Belahyane, Zaccagni, Tijjani Noslin, and Matteo Cancellieri.
Como Possesses Confidence through Their Impressive Away Performances
Como is entering this fixture with an air of confidence due to their previous away form as stated above. While Como’s previous loss to AC Milan was a 3-1 defeat on their home pitch, Como was able to dominate possession (68%) while taking 18 shots (12 on target), creating multiple scoring opportunities for themselves. Goals from ACM player Marc-Oliver Kempf will not have been enough against such a powerful team; however, overall, Como have appeared to be in good form recently.
Como has gone 2-0-0 (wins-losses-ties) in their last two away games and has scored an average of 2.83 goals per match in those games, taking advantage of Como’s playing style that includes an emphasis on wing players and transition play as evidenced by Como’s use of the 4-2-3-1 formation. Due to injuries to numerous members of their team, including Jayden Addai, Assane Diao, Alvaro Morata, and Eduardo Goldaniga, Como will be tested in terms of squad depth; however, Como and Coach Fabregas have shown they can successfully rotate players effectively while still remaining competitive through the injuries to key players. Como is a team that has a lot of "attacking versatility" and "defensive resiliency." In their last match in the Serie A this season against Lazio, Como dominated Lazio, winning 2-0 in August 2025 by scoring goals from Tasos Douvikas and Nico Paz. This shows that Como can execute an effective game plan against "more traditional dominant" teams in the Serie A.
Tactical Game: Possession, Pressing, and Creativity
Both Lazio and Como have contrasting styles of play and will therefore produce what should be a very competitive matchup between these two clubs. Lazio plays a 4-3-3 formation that utilizes width, retains possession of the ball, and is very creative with their midfield triangle. Como uses a 4-2-3-1 formation that focuses on defense and quick attacking transitions.
Kenneth Taylor will be the focal point in the midfield for Lazio, having the capability of controlling all aspects of the game from this position. He is a very capable midfielder with good vision and accuracy when passing, as well as having great defensive awareness, which allows him to break lines and initiate the attack quickly from his team's transition to the counter. However, his playing time has been limited this season. Jesus Rodriguez is Como's main player, as he is quick and has excellent dribbling skills, allowing him to attack Lazio's back line, creating chances for Douvikas and creating opportunities for Nico Paz to score goals.
The outcome of the game may be determined by set pieces and counters, as Lazio averages 4.4 corners per game, while Como has converted more than 3.5 corners in their last ten Serie A matches. In addition, while both teams have solid defensive units, they can be vulnerable to mistakes created by sustained pressure by the opposing team, which means that the match could very well hinge on the brilliance of an individual player or two.
Head-to-Head: History of Balance
The two clubs met at least three times last season with an equal record of one win and one draw. Historically, Lazio dominated Como through 30 H2H meetings, but in recent years, Como has proven that they can take advantage of tactical openings and high-pressure situations.
At their most recent meeting at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como controlled the game 63% of the time and made 19 chances on goal while scoring two goals, whereas Lazio were unable to generate quality scoring opportunities. These statistics illustrate how Como has demonstrated an ability to compete at a tactical level and, by extension, will enter Rome with confidence.
Key Players to Watch
- Lazio: Matteo Cancellieri & Mattia Zaccagni - With Zaccagni back in the fold, Cancellieri will be able to take advantage of Zaccagni's creativity and developing partnership. Watch for Cancellieri to make smart runs behind Como's defense and test Jean Butez early in the match.
- Como: Anastasios Douvikas & Nico Paz—Douvikas has a great nose for goal, while Paz has the ability to set Douvikas up for success. The two of them will look to exploit any gaps in Lazio's defense and make the most of any transitional opportunities.
Injuries and Availability of Both Teams
- Lazio: Player Boulaye Dia is suspended. Players with injuries include Patric (ankle), Toma Bašić (knee), and Samuel Gigot (leg).
- Como: Players Jayden Addai (knee), Assane Diao (ankle), and Alvaro Morata (ankle) are injured.
Both teams have been affected by missing players; therefore, Lazio and Como managers will have to adjust their lineups and strategies, which may impact how intense the matchup will be and the balance between offense and defense for both sides.
Prediction for Outcome
Lazio has the advantage of playing at home and a couple of key players returning from suspension, so they will be seen as slight favorites; however, Como's ability to counterattack must not be overlooked. It should be a close game, with little separation between both teams.
Statistical trends indicate that there will likely be a low to moderate number of goals scored; Lazio has had many games within the last several weeks where less than 2.5 total goals were scored. However, both teams have enough offensive capabilities to score. Based on common opponents and head-to-head matchups within these teams, a 1-1 draw appears likely, while Lazio could win 2-1, provided they take full advantage of the home crowd and create scoring opportunities through the midfield.
Final Prediction
The match between Lazio and Como at the Olimpico will be a very entertaining one. Lazio wants to get back in the European hunt, and Como hopes to continue their strong away form and close the gap on the top 6.
- Lazio 2 – 1 Como (Correct Score)
- Both Teams Score? (Yes)
- Total Goals >2.5 (Likely)
- Players to Watch: Matteo Cancellieri, Mattia Zaccagni, Anastasios Douki, Nico Paz
This Serie A fixture represents more than just three points; it's about strategy, form and ambition; both Teams are fighting to maintain their position in the highly competitive middle of the Serie A Table.
Matchday Preview Summary: Lazio V Como will require Lazio to employ both a solid defensive system whilst also being able to produce attacking creativity, while Como will look to capitalize on Good Counter Attacking and Set Pieces. Expect this match to be an exciting tactical battle that could be decided on one moment of brilliance or stupidity.
