SPAL vs Lazio Predictions

It’s fair to say that Lazio didn’t exactly light things up in 2018/19, despite walking away with the Coppa Italia. It was Simone Inzaghi’s worst push for the Champions League spots since taking over at the Stadio Olimpico, with his side finishing in eighth. However, their strong start has ignited Champions League hopes once again.

Meanwhile, SPAL have started with two defeats following a solid campaign. They have secured a third season of top-flight football after a late rally last term. That lifted them towards the top half, while it alerted Lazio to the talents of Manuel Lazzari. The wide-man who has slotted into the visitors’ team after making the switch in the summer.

Lazio had an early test last time around as they drew 1-1 in the Rome Derby. It felt a little soon to be contrasting the two big Rome sides, who are each pushing for a place in the top four this term. The game before that saw Lazio tear through Sampdoria with a 3-0 away win, something which they’ll be looking to repeat this weekend.

Lazio should be good for the victory, given that SPAL have lost five straight Serie A games. The hosts have been conceding far too many goals, shipping 12 across their last five league games. Meanwhile, Lazio have scored in 10 of their last 12 Serie A away days, finding the net in 87% of their league games last season.

However, Lazio failed to keep a clean sheet in 74% of their away trips last season. That suggests that their clean sheet at Samp was a rarity. Meanwhile, SPAL were able to score at home to all of the top six last season, finding the net in nine of 10 clashes with top half sides.

As a result, we see SPAL scoring this weekend. However, the hosts have shipped four goals in their opening two league games of the season. That points to a high scoring clash when these two go head to head this weekend, so we are going with both teams to score on Sunday.

Given the hosts’ losing streak, we are backing a Lazio victory here. The visitors have made a strong, attacking start and they are meeting a side who have conceded three goals in three of their last four in the league. As a result, we are going with a 3-1 away win on Sunday along with our BTTS prediction.