Champions League pushing Lazio will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat against city rivals Roma last weekend. Como will have to play AC Milan on the 7th before travelling to Rome for Friday’s fixture which could be a key deciding factor. But the Northern Italian side will be desperate for points as they look to escape a relegation fight which leaves them one points above the drop zone in 16th.
Como who are averaging just over a goal per game currently could potentially struggle to break down the second best defence in the league, with Lazio conceding just 15 goals so far. They will also hope that it goes better than the reverse fixture in October, when they conceded 5 to Lazio.
The 22/23 runners up have had some impressive spells this season, including a five game winning streak in October-November. They also have been fantastic in the Europa League, currently sitting top of the league phase table with 5 wins and 0 losses. A swift return to the Champions League will be the goal though, as the Eagles have only played amongst Europe’s elite twice since 2016, including last season.
Boulaye Dia will have to step up with top scorer Castellanos’ absence. The Senegalese striker 4 league goals in 11 starts, as well as 2 in Europe. If anyone is going to be amongst the goals against weaker opposition it will be him. Isaksen and Dele-Bashiru will also be looking to prove the manager and doubters wrong after they were both pulled at half time against Roma, they have 2 goals each in the Serie A this season playing behind Lazio’s striker.
Line Up (4-2-3-1): Ivan Provedelm Adam Marusic, Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares, Matteo Guendouzi, Nicolo Rovella, Mattia Zacagni, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Gustav Isaksen, Boulaye Dia
The richest club in Italian football has taken a gradual approach to life in Serie A, not signing too many big names in their debut season, which has left them outside the relegation zone but only just. Their last two seasons in the top flight ended in relegation so they will not want a repeat of that. Como have already had some impressive wins against the likes of Atalanta and Roma (with those two results making up 50% of their victories in the league!) so are not unfamiliar with beating a tough opponent.
With the arrival of Dele Alli seeming imminent, he will soon see the vicious competition he has in the lakeside city. Real Madrid loanee Nico Paz has proven why he has a bright future in La Liga, with the attacking midfielder leading the entire squad for total shots, xG and goal creating actions. Como also have two solid Italian strikers at their disposal Patrick Cutrone and Andrea Belotti, giving Cesc Fabrega a major starting eleven selection headache.
Line Up (4-2-3-1): Pepe Reina, Ignace Van der Brempt, Edoardo Goldaniga, Marc Oliver Kempf, Yannik Engelhardt, Lucas Da Cunha, Gabriel Strefezza, Nico Paz, Alieu Fadera, Andrea Belotti
The two sides have met 5 times since 1988, due to Como’s lack of time in the top flight. Lazio have won 3 of the meetings, Como have won once and there has also been 1 draw. All 3 of their meetings in the 21st century have gone Lazio’s way. Including their fixture earlier this season, which Lazio won 5-1.
Despite Lazio losing to Roma, the statistics suggested they were not as bad as the scorline suggested, and were arguably unlucky to face defeat. Lazio in general are relatively strong against lower half teams, and can find the position to score in a single pass. Como will struggle to beat them.
For that reason, our betting experts have gone with Lazio to win and over 1.5 goals as the best value bet for this fixture.
Odds of 5/4 mean that a £10 bet has the potential to return up to £22.90 in this match.
(odds subject to change)
Lazio 2-1 Como 1907
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