Lazio is knocking on the door of qualification for the UEFA Champions League and, having just missed out last season, will be determined to make amends this time around. On Saturday they welcome Sampdoria to the Italian capital, knowing that three points could move them up to fourth, above AC Milan and into a Champions League qualification berth – temporarily, at least.
- Lazio is unbeaten in its last four Serie A encounters, drawing three of those.
- Sampdoria has lost three of its last five league games.
- Lazio has won 14 of the last 24 meetings between these teams.
Lazio vs Sampdoria Game Center
Lazio must start turning draws into wins
There is no doubt that Lazio has a side capable of challenging for Champions League qualification. However, they have a similar problem to Atletico Madrid in La Liga when it comes to trying to climb the table – they have been drawing far too many games for their own good of late.
Lazio has drawn its last three games in the league, including away to bottom club Chievo, dropping six points in the process. The club from the capital will need to be much more ruthless if they are indeed to start moving up the standings.
Sampdoria, by way of comparison, is right in the middle of the table after a slight wobble. Following three losses in a row, the club has since taken four points from the last six available, but will now face a stringent test in Rome on Saturday.
Lazio comes into this match as the clear favorite to pick up a much-needed win and climb the table. You can back Lazio to take all three points at just -225, with Sampdoria all the way out at +600 to do the same. A draw is priced in the middle at +375.
Lazio likely to edge close encounter
While Lazio has not exactly been blowing teams away this season, they should still make home advantage a deciding factor in this tie, and with both defences leaking goals at present, we are expecting plenty of entertainment this weekend. It is of course no mean feat trying to predict the exact scoreline of any football match, but a narrow 2-1 win for Lazio is priced at +750 and may well be worth backing given the recent form of both sides.
That in turn would allow you to back OVER 2.5 goals in the game, which comes in very short at just -150, and both teams to score, which is only slightly higher at -110. Therefore, if you are looking to increase any potential winnings from this game, then it would be prudent to consider combo betting, which offers multiple outcomes at higher odds.
For example, a combo bet of a Lazio win and both teams to score is at the much higher price of +210, while a home victory and OVER 2.5 goals in the game is at +105. You may also bet on the total number of goals in the match, with UNDER two priced at +350, two or three dropping all the way down to +105 and OVER three goals in the game rising slightly to +162.
Could Lazio make another fast start?
When Lazio traveled to Sassuolo last month, they opened the scoring after only seven minutes, although on that occasion they were unable to hang on to their advantage. We are expecting them to try to come racing out of the blocks on Saturday, and you can back OVER 0.5 goals in the first 10 minutes at +300, with Lazio at +500 to be ahead by the end of that time period.
Given the inconsistency of both sets of defences, this may well be a game Lazio wins from behind, something you can back them to do at +700. In addition, the home side is at +110 to score in both halves, and just over double that (+225) to actually go out and win both halves.
Lazio forward Ciro Immobile is as always their best chance of a goal. The Italy international is at just -118 to get on the score sheet this weekend.
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