Lazio will host Celtic at the Stadio Olimpico Tour in a one-on-one Champions League clash on Tuesday for matchday five of Group E action, with kickoff slated for 17:45 GMT.
Key Highlights
Lazio’s Chase of Qualification From Group E
Lazio have won twice, drawn once, and lost once in their opening four matches in Group E. They have collected seven points, which places them second in Group E, one point behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
They need to get maximum points from the remaining two matches, starting with the clash against Celtic on Tuesday, to stand a chance of topping Group E and making it out of the group into the knockout stages.
After losing 3-1 away to Feyenoord in matchday three, they bounced back against the Dutch side in matchday four, winning 1-0 at home to reclaim second spot in the group.
Maurizio Sarri will know that a win at home to Celtic is a must-win if they are to enhance their chances of making it into the knockout stages of the Champions League. This is especially the case because their final match of Group E is away to group leaders Atletico Madrid.
Celtic’s Winless Run in Group E
Celtic are at the bottom of Group E, having gone four matches winless so far. They collected a solitary point and lost the other three matches.
Technically, they have a chance of finishing third in the group; however, this will depend on the results of the sides they can mathematically catch -Lazio and Feyenoord.
However, they have been underwhelming in their outings in Europe this season. They opened the Group E campaign with a 2-0 away loss against Feyenoord before losing 1-2 at home to Lazio.
Bet hereMatchday three saw them hold Atletico Madrid to a 2-2 draw at home to spark some hope of a resurgence; however, they were heavily beaten away to Atletico, losing 6-0.
The Scottish Premiership side scored just three times while conceding the highest number of goals in Group E, 12. They will need to tighten their defensive record in Europe and bolster their potency in the attacking end of they are to stand a chance of getting something from the clash against Lazio on Tuesday.
Injury Report
Lazio
Maurizio Sarri will be without center-back Alessio Romagnoli, with the 28-year-old nursing a calf injury since November 22, 2023.
Lazio will also miss the services of center-back Nicolo Casale,; the 25-year-old defender has been sidelined with a muscle injury since November 21, 2023; he has missed one match so far.
Left winger Mattia Zaccagni is also missing with a hip injury. The 28-year-old has been out since November 25th and is expected to miss the clash against Celtic on Tuesday.
Celtic
Brendan Rodgers will be without left winger Daizen Maeda, with the 26-year-old sidelined with a ligament problem since November 7, 2023. He is not expected to feature in the clash away to Lazio.
Celtic will also miss the services of right winger Liel Abada, whose torn thigh muscle has kept the 22-year-old out of action since September 8th, 2023.
Central midfielder Reo Hatate has been nursing a hamstring since October 25th, 2023; this means the 26-year-old is unlikely to be available for selection ahead of the trip to Lazio.
Possible Lineups
Lazio
I. Provedal; A. Marusic, M. Gila, Patric, M. Lazzari; D. Kamada, D. Cataldi, M. Guendouzi; M. Zaccagni, C. Immobile, F. Anderson
Celtic
J. Hart; A. Ralston, C. Carter-Vickers, L. Scales, G. Taylor; M. O’Reilly, C. McGregor, O. Holm; H.J. Yang, K. Furuhashi, L. Palma
Prediction
Lazio will be favorites for this match. Maurizio Sarri’s men will bounce back to winning ways and take the three points to aid in their qualification bid in Group E.
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