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Kick-off: Thursday, 25 February @18:00 GMT
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Roma)
Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)
Head to head record
Galatasaray vs Lazio 1-1 (2015/2016 Europa League)
Lazio vs Galatasaray 1-0 (2001/2002 Champions League)
Galatasaray vs Lazio 1-0 (2001/2002 Champions League)
Lazio vs Galatasaray prediction
A place in the Europa League last 16 will be at stake when Lazio and Galatasaray square off against each other at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg, meaning that a close encounter is on the horizon.
Important away goal
Lazio conceded an early goal in the first leg, but Serbian midfielder Milinkovic-Savic scored the equalizer and helped the Serie A side keep their hopes of making it to the Europa League last 16 alive. The Biancocelesti scored a vital away goal in the Turk Telekom Arena clash and they will be looking to get their job done in the return leg in front of home fans. Lazio are not enjoying a season to remember; they sit in eighth place in the standings with 12 matches to go and, as things stand now, they are unlikely to take part in European competitions next season. As a result, the capital club will give their best to record a good result in the 2015/2016 Europa League campaign and they are definitely capable of beating Galatasaray at their Stadio Olimpico. The Biancocelesti impressed in the group stages of the competition and you should know that they are on an eight-game unbeaten run in EL.
Keita is banned, while Stefan de Vrij and Dusan Basta remain in the recovery room. Santiago Gentiletti is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. Alessandro Matri should lead the line for the hosts against Galatasaray.
Difficult task for Galatasaray
Despite taking the lead in the first leg, Galatasaray eventually shared the spoils with Lazio at their Turk Telekom Arena. The Turkish side conceded in front of home fans, meaning that they need to score at least one goal in the return leg if they are to book their place in the Europa League last 16. Mustafa Denizli’s men head into the game following a come-from-behind win over seven-man Trabzonspor and it has to be noted that the team’s performance was anything but good in the Turkish Super Lig game. Galatasaray will have to be at their sharpest if they are to eliminate Lazio in the Europa League last 32, but beating the Italian side in the “Eternal City” is easier said than done. Wesley Sneijder should return to the starting XI and the former Serie A ace will be one of the men to watch in the away team. Lukas Podolski scored against Trabzon and he should keep his place in the starting XI.
Sinan Gumus and Hamit Altintop are both out of contention with injury, but coach Mustafa Denizli has no other injury concerns ahead of the trip to Rome.
Quick Facts
- Lazio scored 1+ goals in each of their last eight games in the Europa League
- Biancocelesti are eyeing their fourth consecutive win at home in the competition
- Galatasaray suffered only one loss in previous 14 away matches in EL
- Mustafa Denizli’s men failed to keep a clean sheet in previous four matches
- Galatasaray defeated Arsenal in the 1999/2000 Europa League final
Lazio vs Galatasaray betting tip
It has been 16 years since Galatasaray won the Europa League trophy and they are eager to regain the European title. However, considering that over the years Lazio have turned their Stadio Olimpico into a real fortress, there is every chance the visitors will return to Istanbul empty-handed. The Biancocelesti aim to keep their 100% home record intact in the 2015/2016 Europa League campaign and, taking everything into account, there is a big value in betting on the hosts.
Tip: Lazio to win
Odds: 1.50 (1/2) @BetFair
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