Bologna's struggle with the relegation demon is an eternal exercise in suspense - in one round the demon gets the stronghold, in the very next round the Felsinei begin to get the upperhand. Last weekend it was Bologna who lost ground as they were hammered 4-1 by Italian and European champions Inter at San Siro.
The loss followed a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over fellow relegation candidates Bari on the road but was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Napoli in the Round of 16 in the Coppa Italia. Not that the Cup exit was entirely an disappointment - it allows the Rossoblu to maintain more focus on the championship.
Bologna start Week 21 two places and three points above the relegation zone but having lost just once at home in the league all season, they will be confident of conjuring up an upset against a stuttering Lazio side.
Bologna have won four of their nine league encounters at the Renato Dall'Ara and although they have scored nine goals in those matches, Alberto Malesani's side have conceded only seven.
New Year, Disappointing Beginning
Lazio's start to the new year has been slow, sluggish and uninspiring and despite the fact that the Aquile are still flying high in the Serie A table, they are dangerously losing momentum and could be shot down to the ground if things don't improve.
Midweek's Coppa Italia defeat to eternal adversaries Roma in the Derby della Capitale came as much as a humiliation as a stark reminder that Lazio need to start improving immediately. Last weekend's narrow 1-0 win against Sampdoria kept the Biancocelesti in third place, level on points with Napoli and four behind leaders Milan, but was - and still is - their first and only win of 2011.
Lazio haven't looked particularly bright in their away games this campaign and given Bologna's strong form at home the former Italian champions could be made to sweat and struggle.
Furthermore, with Inter now just two points behind them in fourth with a game in hand and Juventus, Roma and Palermo all challenging for a top-four place, the pressure is on Edy Reja's side to improve and improve immediately.
TEAM NEWS
Bologna
There are no injury or suspension worries for Bologna, who will line up in a 4-3-1-2 system that will have Ekdal behind Di Vaio and Ramirez as the playmaker.
Lazio
Meghni, Garrido, Matuzalem, Rocchi and Sculli are unavailable for the trip to Bologna with injuries while Lichtsteiner is suspended.
Prediction
Lazio have struggled all this month and they could stump up once more in Bologna. It is hard to see the Roman side actually losing this fixture but they could well be forced to drop two points.
Bologna 1-1 Lazio 
