Lazio vs Celtic: Match Preview, Expected Lineups & Prediction

Lazio vs Celtic: Match Preview

Lazio hosts Celtic at the Stadio Olimpico in Matchday 4 of the 2019/20 UEFA Europa League. In Group E, the Bhoys secured all three points against the Biancocelesti in Matchday 3 of the competition; Neil Lennon’s side defeated Simone Inzaghi’s men 2-1 in Glasgow, thanks to an 89th-minute winner from Christopher Jullien.

In regards to their respective domestic competitions, the Italian club sits in fourth in the Serie A with a record of 6W-3D-2L, while the Scottish club sits in first in the Scottish Premiership with a record of 9W-1D-1L. It is important to point out that the two clubs have only met once in the past; this was their last encounter in the European competition at Celtic Park.

Lazio vs Celtic: Expected Lineups

Simone Inzaghi, Source- Official S.S.Lazio

Lazio (3-5-2): Strakosha; Luiz Felipe, Vavro, Acerbi; Lazzari, Parolo, Leiva, Milinkovic, Jony; Caicedo, Immobile. 

Neil Lennon, Source- Sky Sports

Celtic (4-3-3): Forster; Frimpong, Jullien, Ajer, Elhamed; Christie, Brown, McGregor; Forrest, Edouard, Elyounoussi.

Celtic vs Lazio: Prediction

Lazio enters the match against Celtic off the back of an 83rd-minute winner to defeat Milan 2-1 in Matchday 10 of Serie A. Ciro Immobile and Joaquin Correa each scored to help the Biancocelesti win in an entertaining match and pick up a historic victory at San Siro. Inzaghi’s side has been in good form recently; they have won their past three matches since losing to Celtic in Matchday 3 of the UEFA Europa League. However, the club has picked up injuries that will force the manager to make changes to his squad on Thursday – Stefan Radu and Adam Marusic will be out for a couple of weeks, and Correa is also questionable for this match as he left training with an injury.

Celtic, on the other hand, continue to have a great start to their season. Since playing the Biancocelesti in Matchday 3 of the UEFA Europa League, they have won 4-0 against Aberdeen and 2-0 versus St. Mirren. The Scottish club are in great form and, as a result, they enter this clash on Thursday feeling very confident; they lead the Scottish Premiership League on goal difference over fierce rivals Rangers.

There are high stakes in this match, as neither team will want to fall behind or lose ground. Celtic are currently sitting comfortably in first place in Group E with seven points, CFR Cluj sits just one point behind Celtic, while Lazio is further behind both. For this reason, spectators and football fans can expect a tight, yet entertaining affair in Rome.

Prediction: Lazio 1-0 Celtic

Tags Bhoys Biancocelesti Celtic Denis Vavro Lazio Serie A Simone Inzaghi Stadio Olimpico Vavro