ROME, Mar 26 (SW) - The race for a berth in the UEFA Cup is getting serious in Serie A, with four teams still in contention including Lazio who defeated Sampdoria on Sunday.

Lazio - Sampdoria 2-0

Massimo Oddo was the hero for Lazio at Stadio Olimpico as he scored twice in the second half to send Lazio to seventh in the table.

Oddo first got on the scoreboard in the 70th minute to give Lazio the lead at 1-0, and he added a penalty late on to ensure the home side came away with the full points.

Ascoli - Chievo 2-2

Chievo are level on points with Lazio, but in sixth place on goal difference after getting a late equalizer to earn a draw away to Ascoli.

Brazilian forward Amauri gave Chievo a 25th-minute lead, but Massimo Paci's goal three minutes before the interval pulled Ascoli level. Paci then gave Ascoli the lead on 62 minutes, but Amauri countered with a last-gasp equalizer.

Empoli - Livorno 2-1

Livorno are just one point behind both Lazio and Chievo, but could have gone ahead of them had they not been defeated away to Empoli.

Empoli leading scorer Francesco Tavano gave the home side the lead on 39 minutes and it was 2-0 when Antonio Busce found the net in the 51st minute.

Cristiano Lucarelli's penalty with three minutes to play gave Livorno some hope for a draw, but they couldn't get an equalizer in the dying moments.

Palermo - Treviso 1-0

Sicilian side Palermo are also still in the hunt for Europe after they recorded a narrow victory at the Renzo Barbera stadium over bottom side Treviso.

Stephen Makinwa's goal in the 57th minute was all the Sicilian side needed to stay within two points of Chievo and Lazio.

Cagliari - Reggina 0-2

Reggina are gradually pulling themselves out of relegation danger, especially after getting three crucial points in Sardinia at Cagliari on Sunday.

Alessandro Lucarelli gave Reggina an early lead after just eight minutes, and Giacomo Tedesco extended the lead in the 20th minute to seal the victory in a match that saw nine different players booked.

Siena - Lecce 1-2

Lecce are still mired in the relegation zone despite getting three points with an away win at ten-man Siena.

Guillermo Giacomazzi gave Lecce a fourth-minute lead, and they held that advantage until Mirko Vucinic made it 2-0 in the 71st minute.

Siena's Francesco Colonnese was sent off in the 77th minute, but that didn't stop Erjon Bogdani from pulling a goal back for the home side with five minutes to play.

Messina - Udinese 1-1

Despite earning a Champions League spot last season, Udinese are still in the relegation picture after a draw at Messina.

Arturo Di Napoli scored the opener for Messina in the 31st minute, but Udinese found themselves level just seven minutes later when Christian Obodo found the back of the net.