Sturm Graz vs Lazio Match Analysis and Prediction

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With all four teams level on points in an evenly-poised Group F, Sturm Graz and Lazio go head to head in their Europa League matchday-three tie on Thursday.

The first of a double-header meetings in the next week sees both teams in fine form domestically, with the hosts sitting second in the Austrian Bundesliga and their visitors occupying fourth place in Serie A.

Sturm Graz picked up three points from their opening Europa League game before enduring a far tougher fixture on the second matchday.

Die Schwoazn got off to a good start through a 1-0 victory over Midtjylland at Merkur-Arena, before being beaten 6-0 at De Kuip seven days later.

That defeat to Feyenoord came as something of a surprise, given thay had won four of their previous five games and drawn the other, but a subsequent return to winning ways has reaffirmed their credentials.

Christian Ilzer led his side to a 3-0 away victory over Austria Wien on Sunday, and after back-to-back victories they sit in second place in the Bundesliga standings behind RB Salzburg.

Having began their Group F campaign with a 4-2 home victory over Feyenoord at the start of September, Lazio then suffered a 5-1 defeat to FC Midtjylland just before the international break.

However, that result represents an outlier, as Lazio still show signs of being genuine top-four contenders in Italy, having finished fifth last season to secure European football.

Following victory over Spezia last time out, Maurizio Sarri’s side sit just three points behind Napoli and Atalanta in the Serie A table, and confidence is sky-high in the camp courtesy of four-goal wins either side of the international break.

Having scored 17 times so far domestically -only Napoli have managed more – Lazio have now won each of their last three league matches without conceding once.

Sturm Graz vs Lazio head to head

These two teams have previously met on just two occasions in the Europa League back in 2002, where they each claimed a victory, with Lazio scoring three goals and conceding two in the process.

Sturm Graz 1-3 Lazio 28/11/02

Lazio 0-1 Sturm Graz 12/12/02

Sturm Graz latest home form

Sturm Graz have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. They managed to defeat Maribor 5-1 in their last home game in a friendly. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded just two.

Sturm Graz 3-1 Austria Salzburg 31/08/22

Sturm Graz 0-0 Hartberg 03/09/22

Sturm Graz 1-0 Midtjylland 08/09/22

Sturm Graz 2-0 Austria Lustenau 18/09/22

Sturm Graz 5-1 Maribor 23/09/22

Sturm Graz latest away form

Sturm Graz have recently been of a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They defeated Austria Vienna 3-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded eight.

Ried 1-1 Sturm Graz 06/08/22

Rapid Vienna 1-2 Sturm Graz 28/08/22

Austria Klagenfurt 0-2 Sturm Graz 11/09/22

Feyenoord 6-0 Sturm Graz 15/09/22

Austria Vienna 0-3 Sturm Graz 02/10/22

Lazio latest home form

Lazio have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having won each of their three most recent matches. They managed to defeat Spezia 4-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 14 goals and conceded just five.

Lazio 3-1 Inter Milan 26/08/22

Lazio 1-2 Napoli 03/09/22

Lazio 4-2 Feyenoord 08/09/22

Lazio 2-0 Verona 11/09/22

Lazio 4-0 Spezia 02/10/22

Lazio latest away form

Lazio have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their four most recent matches. They managed to defeat Cremonese 4-0 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded six.

Real Valladolid (P)0-0 Lazio 06/08/22

Torino 0-0 Lazio 20/08/22

Sampdoria 1-1 Lazio 31/08/22

Midtjylland 5-1 Lazio 15/09/22

Cremonese 0-4 Lazio 18/09/22

Sturm Graz news

Sturm Graz’s Stefan Hierlander returns from suspension this week after being sent off for two bookable offenses in their opening game, and should feature in midfield for the hosts.

Albian Ajeti will hope to partner Emanuel Emegha up front, but Danish teenager William Boving may be given the nod instead.

Lazio news

Marcos Antonio and Matias Vecino may be in line for promotion to the starting side in midfield, while Elsied Hysaj is expected to come into the Lazio back four.

Felipe Anderson and Ciro Immobile will be joined by either veteran winger Pedro or Mattia Zaccagni, while Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could play a starring role again.

Prediction and Odds

Lazio have lost eight of their last 10 Europa League matches away from home, and victory should not be taken for granted as they travel outside Rome again.

The hosts will fancy their home advantage, but their visitors’ greater individual quality should see them edge out a modest Sturm Graz side in what could be quite an open contest.

Odds: 1 2.32 X 2.05 2 1.89