Lazio vs CFR Cluj Predictions

The pressure is on Simone Inzaghi to deliver a victory in the Europa League this week, or else the Lazio boss could see his side crash out of the competition. The Serie A giants are taking on Cluj in Group E, with a six-point gap now separating these two following the hosts’ struggles. The Biancocelesti have a woeful record in this competition of late, despite seeing their form take off domestically.

While Lazio struggle in the Europa League, they are making a bold push for the top four in Serie A. The hosts are up to third in the table following some fine form, unbeaten in their last eight league games. Lazio have won four on the spin in Serie A, while they come into this one with a great scoring record behind them in that time, scoring 23 times in those eight matches.

Meanwhile, Cluj are top of their domestic league and pushing for top spot here. They kicked things off by beating Lazio on the opening night, while they’ve recorded three wins from four since. If Cluj avoid defeat, they will progress past the group stages of a Champions League/Europa League campaign for the very first time. Can they pick up they result they need in the Italian capital?

Lazio are unbeaten in all three of their home games against Romanian opposition (W1 D2), with both teams finding the net each time. They’ll be hoping to pull off a result and continue their strong recent form, though their outings in Europe are a worry. Lazio have lost seven of their last eight in this competition, so they need to sort themselves out in this clash.

The hosts have seen both teams score in each of their group games so far, while they’ve conceded in each of their last 14 games in the Europa League. While we back the in-form hosts to get forward, they clearly aren’t strong enough at the back in European competition. We’re backing both teams to score as our main tip for this clash.

All four of Lazio’s Europa League games this season have finished 2-1 (W1 L3), with the side scoring first going on to lose each time. Cluj came from behind to win 2-1 against Lazio in the reverse fixture and we’re backing the hosts to produce that scoreline here. We’re backing a 2-1 home victory as our correct score prediction this week, with Lazio winning five of their last six games.