Lazio for Italy's last Champions League spot

Goal.com's team of experts turn their attention to the race for third place as they predict the results from the final six weeks to decide who will grab the European play-off spot.With just six rounds of the Serie A season to go, there are five teams still in the running for the third and final Champions League berth. Lazio currently lead the way from Udinese, Roma, Napoli and Inter, but all five outfits still harbour hopes of reaching the European game's most prized competition.With Edy Reja's side having dropped points at regular intervals this term and currently experiencing problems with injuries, there are plenty of reasons for the rest to be hopeful. But do they themselves have what it takes to string together a killer run of form?While Napoli won friends across the continent with their Champions League run this season, their form since being knocked out by Chelsea has been nothing short of horrendous. They have now fallen behind Roma, whose campaign under Luis Enrique has been punctuated by disappointing setbacks on the field.The Giallorossi are closing in on Udinese though, with the Zebrette looking to make up for this season's play-off defeat to Arsenal by going one better in 2012 and reaching the Champions League group stage.Meanwhile, Inter have become a decent outside bet once more thanks to their upturn in form since the appointment of Andrea Stramaccioni as coach. But have they left it too late to be serious challengers?We asked our team of experts to make their predictions on the 26 fixtures which will have a say in the destiny of the final Champions League ticket, with some interesting prognostications having come out of the exercise ...Lazio will qualify for the Champions League on the last matchday with a victory at home to Inter. Edy Reja's team will continue to have ups and down through to the end of the season because of all of their injuries, but they should still make it. Napoli and Inter will never get close to third, while Roma will snatch the fifth spot to secure Europa League football. On the last day, Catania will deny Udinese Champions League qualification for a second straight season, while Lazio will beat Inter, who by that time will already be out of the fight for European football.To be honest, I don’t foresee any change in the current rankings by the season’s end. With away games against Udinese and Lazio still to come, as well as a Milan derby, Inter have no chance of claiming the final Champions League spot. Napoli’s run-in is not bad at all – their trip to Roma aside – but I think they’ve left it too late. As for the Giallorossi, I have them down to pip Napoli to fifth on account of a superior head-to-head record against the Partenopei. Udinese could yet reclaim third from Lazio, whom they host in round 35, but I suspect that the Biancocelesti will escape with a point. I expect it will go right to the final day, though, with Lazio battling their way past Inter to secure the final Champions League qualification berth while a desperate Udinese will come a cropper in Catania.