Are the Russians still an away power?
On Sunday, Lazio Roma celebrated a big win in Serie A as they defeated city rivals AS Roma 3-2 in the Derby della Capitale. Internationally, however, the Biancocelesti got off to a false start at Galatasaray (0:1) The kickers from the eternal city thus find themselves with their backs to the wall early on
It should be noted that the Laziali have lost three of their last five European home games and go into this match with little momentum. It is therefore all the more surprising that the odds are so clearly in favour of the Italians in the run-up to the encounter between Lazio Roma and Lok Moscow.
The Parovozy are considered strong away from home. Lok Moscow have lost only one of their last nine away games in the Europa League group stage and have taken six points in a row from their opponents’ stadiums. The value on Lazio Roma vs Lok Moscow is correspondingly high when betting on the double chance X2.
Italy Lazio Roma – Statistics & current form
Lazio Roma won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999. It was the only major international title so far for the Romans, who met their current opponents Lokomotive Moscow in the semi-finals 22 years ago. After two draws, the away goals rule helped the Laziali in the end.
Currently, the Aquile are permanent guests in the Europa League, where the capital is qualified for the group stage for the ninth time. However, they disappointed in their last appearance, picking up just six points in 2019/20.
Not the best start to a season for the Aquile
Currently, the Biancocelesti’s start has not been too rosy either. Maurizio Sarri’s side lost their opening match 1-0 at Galatasaray Istanbul, leaving the men from the eternal city with the red lantern.
Added to this is the mediocre start in Serie A. The Laziali won the first two matchdays with 9:2 goals against Empoli and Spezia. But then they picked up only two points out of a possible nine from their three encounters with AC Milan, Cagliari and Torino FC. After winning the Derby della Capitale, the Biancocelesti are now “only” in sixth place
Lost three of last five European home games
Accordingly, the league away game in Bologna should already cast its shadow ahead, because it is precisely in games like these that the Romans must not let anything slip if they want to attack the top four again.
With the Italians’ focus clearly on Serie A in these weeks, it could well be that rotation is the order of the day in the Europa League. Moreover, with the Biancocelesti having lost three of their last five international home games, it comes as a surprise that the odds on Lazio Roma against Lok Moscow are clearly swinging in the direction of Sarri’s side.
Predicted Lazio Roma line-up:
Strakosha – Hysaj – Acerbi – Felipe – Lazzari – Alberto – Leiva – Akpa Akpro – Zaccagni – Anderson – Immobile
Last matches played for Lazio Roma:
Russian Federation Lok Moscow – Statistics & current form
Lokomotive Moscow are the Russian record cup winners and have often proved their toughness, especially in competitions played in the knockout system.
Just this summer, the red-white-and-green team secured another national cup victory with a 3:1 win over Krylya Sovetov Samara. It was the fourth overall victory in the competition in the last seven years, which also gave the Parovozy a ticket to the Europa League.
Unbeaten in six away games in Europa League group stage
For the fourth time in total, Lokomotive Moscow are taking part in the group stage of the second most important competition for club teams, where their journey has recently taken them to at least the sixteenth finals three times in a row.
The Russians’ record reads accordingly well, having lost only one of their last nine away matches in the preliminary round of the Europa League (five wins, three draws). Most recently, they remained unbeaten away from home in six consecutive away games in the Europa League group stage (three wins and draws each).
First seven goals conceded in the ten competitive matches of the 2021/22 season
Marko Nikolic’s side have plenty of momentum going into the away game in the eternal city, especially as the men from the Russian capital already put in a strong performance on matchday one in the 1-1 draw against Olympique Marseille and kept up well.
Moreover, because the Parovozy are still unbeaten in all ten matches of the 2021/22 season (four wins, six draws) and have conceded only seven goals in 13 of their own games, there is a lot to be said for betting on double chance X2 with not too many goals when it comes to Lazio Roma vs Lok Moscow.
Predicted line-up of Lok Moscow:
Marinato – Rybus – Cerqueira – Magkeev – Jedvaj – Beka Beka – Barinov – Kulikov – Kamano – Zhemaletdinov – Smolov
Last matches played by Lok Moscow:
Lazio Roma – Lok Moscow Direct Comparison / H2H Record
The aforementioned 1998/99 European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final was the only meeting between the two teams to date. The first leg in Moscow ended in a 1-1 draw, after which the goalless draw in Rome was enough for the Italians to reach the final because of the away goals rule.
Italy Lazio Roma – Lok Moscow Russian Federation Tip
When it comes to Lazio Roma vs Lok Moscow, the prediction has to take into account that the Laziali’s focus hasn’t exactly been on the Europa League lately. The Aquile have lost three of their last five international home games and their main focus is clearly on Serie A at the moment. A correspondingly tough rotation is to be expected after the energy-sapping Derby della Capitale
Because the Russians are also strong away from home and have lost only one of their last nine away games in the Europa League group stage, several factors come together in this clash that favour a presumed underdog tip.
