Prediction: Lazio vs Celtic

Verdict: Lazio win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Knowing that they can officially punch their Champions League knockout stage ticket in midweek, Lazio will welcome Celtic to the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening.

Lazio

Starting with the hosts, marking their return from November’s international break with a sluggish 2-1 loss away at Salernitana, Lazio do have the feel of a squad seeking a recent boost. Mustering just a single win from their previous four appearances across all competitions, Maurizio Sarri’s men will certainly be excited to turn their attention back to Champions League action here. Despite their domestic issues on either side of the fortnight interval, the one-time Chelsea boss has seen his squad gain plenty of plaudits for their success on the European stage. Sat in pole position to book their knockout stage ticket and knowing that they can officially warp up their Group E adventure on Tuesday night, Lazio will also be excited by their continued success on home soil. In fact, Sarri’s side are unbeaten in all of their previous seven showdowns at the Stadio Olimpico – a run that stems all the way back to August 27th.

Team News

While one-time Liverpool midfielder Luis Alberto might have served a domestic suspension on Saturday afternoon, the 31-year-old is free to make a full return in midweek. However, Lazio are once again sweating over the fitness of one-time AC Milan star Alessio Romagnoli on Tuesday night.

Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike against Salernitana over the weekend and with three goals in his previous five appearances across all competitions, attacking talisman Ciro Immobile will have a leading role to play here.

Celtic

As for the visitors, while Celtic might find themselves tipped as a landslide contender to defend their domestic crown this season, the Hoops have come under real scrutiny following another European nightmare. Only collecting a single point from their four Champions League appearances and gaining a reputation for their rather glaring defensive issues, Brendan Rodgers appears to have serious questions that need answering. With their chances of punching a famous knockout stage ticket long since going up in smoke, the former Leicester boss will also have a major headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. Including a woeful 6-0 drumming at the hands of Atletico Madrid last month, Celtic should also be worried by their most recent showdown against Tuesday’s hosts. Hit with a 2-1 loss when they welcomed Lazio to Glasgow back on October 4th, Rodgers’ side should be bracing themselves for another stern challenge in midweek.

Team News

Dealing with a long-term muscle injury and yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season, Celtic will once again be without former Everton midfielder James McCarthy here. Likewise, Rodgers’ side will also be unable to call upon 22-year-old striker Liel Abada on Tuesday night.

Finding the net against Motherwell over the weekend and now finding the net in each of his last four domestic appearances on the spin, Scotland international David Turnbull will once again have a leading role to play in Rome.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Champions League showdown on October 4th, Lazio picked up a 2-1 win in Glasgow.
• Likewise, the Eagles are unbeaten in each of their previous seven straight home fixtures across all formats.
• Celtic have collected just a single point from any of their four Champions League appearances this season.
• The Scottish champions have also shipped 12 strikes in those four European performances this year.
• Italy international Ciro Immobile has bagged three goals in his previous five appearances on either side of November’s international break.

Conclusion

Knowing that they can officially wrap up their Champions League knockout stage ticket this week, Lazio will believe that they have been handed a golden opportunity here. Looking to cash in on a Celtic squad that find themselves at the heart of another European nightmare, Sarri’s side will also be excited by their reverse Group E showdown. Landing a 2-1 win when they travelled to Glasgow on October 4th, we are backing a home victory on Tuesday evening.

Verdict: Lazio win

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet