Lazio – Feyenoord : Preview & Prediction
You would have to be a soothsayer to predict which Lazio team will face Feyenoord after their last four results alternated between wins and losses. The smart money would be on a win here, given that they lost 1-0 to Bologna on Friday night, but after coach Maurizio Sarri bemoaned his team’s lack of punch in the final third, it seems unlikely that any victory will be convincing.
Lazio showed plenty of attacking firepower in the last meeting between them at home, as the “Eagles” won 4-2 in last season’s UEFA Europa League group stage. While Sarri’s side fell short of that in the 3-1 defeat in the previous clash a couple of weeks ago against Feyenoord, they will be hoping to bounce back quickly given that that was their only loss in their last nine UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage matches (G3, E5).
While qualification for the Round of 16 cannot be assured here for Feyenoord, a win at the Stadio Olimpico would leave them with one foot in the last 16. Sitting at the top of the standings ahead of this final day of Group E matches, the Dutch side know that tipping the scales in their favor in an exactly split record against Italian opponents (G8, E4, P8) would open up a five-point gap to third place with just two games remaining as they seek their first appearance in a UCL knockout stage.
The worrying thing in that regard is that seven of those eight defeats suffered against opponents from Italy came away from home in the Netherlands, and having lost at the Stadio Olimpico twice last season, history is against them here. At least they come into this performance on the back of a 2-1 win in the Eredivisie at the weekend, and considering none of their last 12 clashes in all competitions have ended in a draw, you would expect this match to be decided one way or the other.
Players to watch: Both of Pedro’s goals this season came in the UCL, being the last goals of the match, including in the first leg tie. Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez, who is wanted by some of Europe’s top clubs, also scored the brace in that clash by scoring either side of the break – a feat he has achieved on five separate occasions this season!
Fun Fact: Three of Lazio’s four goals in the UCL this season came after the 80th minute.
Lazio – Feyenoord : Betting Tips
Lazio – Win Odds: 2.55
