Lazio vs Galatasaray Match Analysis and Prediction

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With the first place in Europa League Group E not been decided yet, second-placed Lazio prepare to host group leaders Galatasaray at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.

Maurizio Sarri’s side will not be expecting nothing less than a win, as they are sitting just three points below their vistors heading into the final matchday.

Despite failing to maintain their dominance over Galatasaray or a Marseille outfit, a pair of wins over Lokomotiv Moscow means that Lazio’s fate is still within their own hands, having eased to a 3-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow on matchday five.

Ciro Immobile returned from injury in time to strike two penalties before Pedro cornfimed the results with just three minutes remaining, and Lazio also registered a 3-1 victory over Sampdoria on Sunday.

Maurizio Sarri and his men have now turned their focus in this weeks game with Galatasaray, as only a win will assure them to seal automatic progress to the knockout stages.

Lazio have been unbeaten in four Europa League games and have kept clean sheets in three of their last four in Group E; while they are yet to concede a continental goal at home this term, but Galatasaray may not be in the mood to lose their grasp on first place.

Galatasaray have not yet lost in the 2021-22 Europa League group stages and have collected 11 points from a possible 15, and have sailed the tightly-contested section with poise and will progress as group winners with just a point at the Stadio Olimpico.

Coach Fatih Terim’s side were fired up when Marseille traveled to Istanbul on matcheday five, taking a 4-2 victory, but their domestic fortunes have plunged as they head into this clash on the back of a fourth consecutive Super Lig game without a win.

Galatasaray’s first meeting with Lazio ended in a1-0 win through Thomas Strakosha’s own goal.

Lazio vs Galatasaray head to head

The two clubs have previously met in 5 occasions, twice in the Champions League and three times in the Europa League, and they seem to be level on strenghth. Both teams have won two and they have drawn one. Lazio have scored 5 goals and conceded 4 in both competitions.

Galatasaray 1-0 Lazio 11/09/01

Lazio 1-0 Galatasaray 24/10/01

Galatasaray 1-1 Lazio 18/02/16

Lazio 3-1 Galatasaray 25/02/16

Galatasaray 1-0 Lazio 16/09/21

Lazio latest home form

Lazio have been on a run of good form at home, as they have lost just once in their last ten matches in all competititons, the only defeat coming on November 20 when they lost 2-0 to Juventus. In their last five, they have won two, drawn two and lost one.

Lazio 0-0 Marseille 21/10/21

Lazio 1-0 Fiorentina 27/10/21

Lazio 3-0 Salernitana 07/11/21

Lazio 0-2 Juventus 20/11/21

Lazio 4-4 Udinese 02/12/21

Lazio latest away form

Lazio have been on a relatively good run of form in the recent few weeks on the road. In their last five away fixtures, the have won two, drawn two and lost one, with the defeat coming on November 28 where they lost 4-0 to Napoli in the Serie A

Atalanta 2-2 Lazio 30/10/21

Marseille 2-2 Lazio 04/11/21

Lokomotive Moscow 0-3 Lazio 25/11/21

Napoli 4-0 Lazio 28/11/21

Sampdoria 1-3 Lazio 05/12/21

Galatasaray latest home form

Galatasaray have been on a good run of form in the recent weeks, having not lost in their last ten matches at home across all competitions. In their last five, they have won two, drawn two and lost one, scoring 13 and coneding 9 in the process.

Galatasaray 1-1 Lokomotiv Moscow 04/11/21

Galatasaray 5-2 Bursaspor 13/11/21

Galatasaray 1-2 Fenerbahce 21/11/21

Galatasaray 4-2 Marseille 25/11/21

Galatasaray 2-2 Altay 04/12/21

Galatasaray latest away form

Similar to their performance at home, Galatasaray have been on relatively good run of form on the road. They have lost just once in their last six away matches, with the loss coming to Besiktas in the Super Lig. In their last five, they have won two, drawn two and lost one.

Rizespor 2-3 Galatasaray 03/10/21

Lokomotiv Moscow 0-1 Galatasaray 21/10/21

Besiktas 2-1 Galatasaray 25/10/21

Fatih Karagumruk 1-1 Galatasaray 07/11/21

Yeni Malatyaspor 0-0 Galatasaray 28/11/21

Lazio news

Immobile sustained an injury in their game against Sampdoria and it is yet to be seen if he will be passed fit fro this game, but Vadat Muriqi will be on standby, while Bobby Adekanye will be missing out due to a meniscus injury. Sergej Milinkovik-Savic was sent off in the weekend, but Patric is back from his ban.

Galatasaray news

Ever-present Midfielder Alexandru Cicaldu will be absent after testing positive for coronavirus, while Sacha Boey and Omer Bayram are out of contention.

First-choice goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is just a booking away from suspension, but Terim will not consider dropping him while first place is not yet assured.

Prediction and Odds

The absence of Cicaldau for Galatasaray and a potential absence of Immobile for Lazio are two big blows to both sides, and Lazio have been far from consistent in league and continental action this season. Galatasaray get it difficult to score, but Immobile’s absence could give them a chance to pick a draw.

Odds: 1 2.45 X 3.05 2 2.20