H2H: Lazio vs. Celtic – Prediction (Europa League

Preview and Teams Comparison.

Lazio have lost six of their last seven Europa League games (W1), as many as they had in their previous 35 in the competition (W18 D11 L6). Celtic scored with both of their shots on target as they came from behind to beat Lazio on MD3, ensuring they remain unbeaten after three group stage games in the Champions League/Europa League for just the second time (also 2014-15 Europa League). Ciro Immobile has four goals in his last three competitive matches for Lazio, while Celtic’s Ryan Christie has scored both his UEL group stage goals after half-time. On a three-match competitive winning run, Lazio will now hope to revive their UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group E fortunes. Two of those recent wins came via a 2-1 scoreline, which was also the case in Lazio’s three UEL fixtures (W1, L2). That score seems to be ingrained in Lazio’s UEL DNA – six of their last nine UEL group stage matches, and each of their last four group stage home games, ended 2-1.

Lazio have kept six first-half clean sheets in their last seven UEL home matches. Celtic have won eight of 11 European matches this season (W8, D2, L1), one short of their club record for a single season. Celtic have won only two of their previous 18 UEL away matches, group stage to final (W2, D8, L8).

Lazio remain unbeaten at home this season in all competitions (W4, D2), managing three clean sheets. Eleven of Lazio’s 16 goals during this period came after half-time, although four of the five goals they conceded arrived in the first half. Celtic have, however, struggled against Italian opposition, with just six wins from 26 UEFA matches. Furthermore, they are yet to win in Italy (D3, L9) and have lost five of their last six trips ‘to nil’. Unbeaten in the UEL and top of Group E, Celtic travel here on the back of a five-match competitive winning streak. The ‘Hoops’ managed three clean sheets during that run, while also netting at least twice in each fixture. A clear majority of Celtic’s goals during this sequence (11 of 19) were netted in the second half. That was also the case with four of their five UEL group stage goals this season.