Lazio vs Real Sociedad Prediction: A stalemate in Rome

Lazio lead the way in the league phase of the Uefa Europa League and they have already secured their spot in the knockout stage with two games to go. The Italian side welcome Real Sociedad to Stadio Olimpico on Thursday (20:00, TNT Sports 2), with the visitors looking to make their way into the automatic qualifying places.

Read on for my Lazio vs Real Sociedad prediction, where you will also find the latest team news and match odds.

Lazio vs Real Sociedad Odds

Lazio have won five of their six matches in Europe to date and they are 7/5, which has an implied probability of 41.7%, to triumph here. Real Sociedad are 21/10 to come away with the three points but they are yet to claim a victory away from home.

The two teams have experienced a draw apiece in the Europa League, while Lazio head into Thursday having seen their last two home appearances in Serie A end in a stalemate. The draw is also priced at 21/10 (32.3%).

Both teams to score has struck in two of Lazio's three home ties in this competition so far, as well as all three of the visitors' away trips. BTTS is available at 10/11.

Football Odds

Team News

The hosts will be able to select Loum Tchaouna on Thursday after he completed his domestic suspension, but midfielder Matias Vecino is ruled out through injury. Tchaouna is expected to go straight into the starting lineup to face Real Sociedad.

Defensive duo Patric and Manuel Lazzari are also out of action with issues of their own, while Samuel Gigot must serve a suspension. This should see Alessio Romagnoli and Mario Gila partner up in the heart of the back line.

Boss Marco Baroni has been boosted by the return of winger Pedro, who is still flaunting his talent at the ripe old age of 37. The Spaniard has registered six goal involvements in the Europa League so far and he is back in contention after a recent injury. The wide man could join Boulaye Dia and Valentín Castellanos in the final third.

Real Sociedad head to the Italian capital without long-term absentee Hamari Traore. Arsen Zakharyan is considered a major doubt to feature with an ankle issue.

Jon Aramburu returns from suspension to boost Imanol Alguacil's options, after the manager said his team were suffering with fatigue following their defeat to Valencia in La Liga on Sunday.

Having started that match on the bench, attacking duo Takefusa Kubo and Spain international Mikel Oyarzabal should be restored to the XI. Martin Zubimendi is likely to be deployed in the engine room, amidst reports of him agreeing a summer transfer to the Premier League with Arsenal.

Draw @ 21/10

A place in the knockout stage is secured but Lazio will wish to avoid the play-offs and go straight into the round of 16, which they can achieve by finishing in the top eight. They are top of the tree, so their chances are high, but they cannot get complacent with two games to go.

Their final home game gives them an opportunity to get the job done. They are unbeaten in Europe and with the visitors' away record, they will fancy their chances to get something from the match.

However, Txuri-Urdin did post back-to-back wins in this competition before the break and they have won seven of their last 10 in all competitions, so they will travel to Rome with confidence. They will sense an automatic qualification spot is up for grabs, so a result against the leaders would set them up nicely for their final home tie against PAOK.

There is quality on both sides that should make for an interesting battle at Stadio Olimpico, but it makes me think that we could see them cancel each other out. A draw feels like a real possibility, and given the fact that Lazio's last two outings here have ended in a stalemate, I believe Real Sociedad can come here and leave with a point.

Under 2.5 goals @ 8/13

Both of those recent home draws for Lazio produced under 2.5 goals, which I think is another market worth selecting on Thursday. I Biancocelesti's latest home tie in Europe also saw less than three goals scored, as they played out a 0-0 draw with Ludogorets. This selection was also a winner in their victory at Twente, which they won 2-0.

Four of Real Sociedad's last five appearances in all competitions have finished up with under 2.5 goals, so this could end up playing out like a tactical chess match. I think we could be in for a low-scoring affair here as a result.

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