Lazio – Midtjylland : Preview & Prediction
With all four teams in UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group F tied on five points, advancing or being eliminated is out of the question for any side on matchday five, but both Lazio and Midtjylland know that three points could be paramount to their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. The Italian side will want nothing more than to advance in what is their tenth appearance in a UEL group stage as they come in on a seven-match unbeaten run (G4, E3) which has taken them to third place in Serie A. That streak saw Lazio concede just two goals and continuing that defensive solidity could come in handy in a group that is so tightly contested that goal difference could end up being a determining factor.
Those two goals were coincidentally conceded in their last UEL match, in which Lazio let a lead slip twice in a 2-2 draw against Sturm Graz. Lazio’s defense was also not sharp in the previous meeting between the two clubs, as Maurizio Sarri’s side lost 5-1 to Midtjylland on matchday two – the first time Lazio had conceded five goals in European competition since April 2000.
Partly thanks to that thrashing, Midtjylland are above Lazio on goal difference and are used to close campaigns in UEL, having finished third last season in a group that saw the top three teams separated by just two points. Finishing at least one place above them this time around will certainly be the goal, and bringing with them a ten-game unbeaten run (G5, E5) that keeps them fifth in their domestic league will make confidence high. Midtjylland have shown a different style of play since their win against Lazio, being stubborn and drawing 2-2 on two consecutive occasions in UEL against Feyenoord, with both engagements seeing them come from behind.
Transferring their current impressive run to their away performances remains an open question, with just two wins in their last 14 away appearances in European competition (E5, P7). A trip to Rome may not be the ideal scenario to end that trend, having lost 5-0 to Napoli on their previous UEL visit to Italy – a side coincidentally coached by Sarri on that occasion.
Players to watch: Pedro provided the assist on Lazio’s opening goal at the weekend, and after his goal in the last UEL match, he could score in back-to-back European matches for the first time since May 2019. Meanwhile, Midtjylland midfielder Evander has scored three times in his last two games and played a key role in their 5-1 win over Lazio by scoring one goal and assisting three others.
Weekend stat: Lazio have kept a clean sheet in the first half 12 times in their last 15 matches.
Lazio – Midtjylland : Betting Tips
Lazio – Win Odds: 1.45
