Lazio vs Galatasaray Predictions

• Lazio’s only home defeat this season, in all competitions, was to Juventus.
• Overall, they’ve won six of 10 at the Stadio Olimpico, scoring 24 goals.
• Galatasaray are currently top of Group E, but sit a disappointing seventh in the Turkish Super Lig, after a four-match winless run.

Romans Could Still Secure First

Lazio must beat Galatasaray to top Group E, and earn a bye to the Europa League’s round of 16 under the competition’s new format. Both teams have already qualified, but will be keen to secure first and avoid a round of 32 tie with a Champions League dropout.

Lazio may have been up and down this campaign, but Maurizio Sarri’s team have been strong at home, winning six of 10 in all competitions and averaging 2.4 goals per game. They have yet to concede at home in the Europa League, and are taking the competition seriously; stars Ciro Immobile, Pedro, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have all made four appearances in the group thus far.

Standing between them and top spot are Galatasaray, who edged them out 1-0 in Istanbul back in September. The Turkish giants have had a disappointing domestic campaign, sitting seventh after a winless run of four games in the Super Lig, and winning just two away league games all season.

Lazio to Clinch Top Spot in Style?

With Serie A proving fiercely competitive, the Europa League could represent Lazio’s best shot at a Champions League place for next term, and they will certainly be taking this clash seriously.

The goals tend to flow when Lazio play at the Stadio Olimpico; their seven domestic home games under Sarri have featured 34 goals and seen them keep just one clean sheet. Meanwhile, The Eagles boast Serie A’s fifth-best attack but its fifth-worst defence.

With Galatasaray only failing to score twice in their domestic league despite their toils, I’m backing Lazio to win with both teams netting on Thursday. 2-1 to Sarri’s team seems a solid correct score prediction for this decisive clash.