Lazio vs Sturm Graz – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | UEL 2022-23

Ciro Immobile-Lazio

Lazio will play host to Sturm Graz when the Austrian side visits the Stadio Olimpico for the return leg of their Europa League clash.

Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome)

Key Statistics

Lazio have kept four clean sheets in a row.

They have scored four goals in three of their last four games.

The hosts have won their last three home games in all competitions.

Lazio have scored inside the opening 15 minutes in five of their last eight matches.

Lazio have led at half-time by 2+ goals in three of their last four matches.

Sturm Graz are unbeaten in their last five games (W4, D1).

They have kept three clean sheets in their last five games.

The visitors have seven wins across the last ten competitive matches (D2, L1), 

Head to head

Both teams have one win apiece in three head-to-head meetings in the past.  

Latest performances in all competitions

Lazio: W-D-W-W-L

Sturm Graz: W-D-W-W-W

Lazio

Maurizio Sarri’s side played out a 0-4 win over Fiorentina on Monday night, courtesy of strikes from Matias Vecino, Mattia Zaccagni, Luiz Alberto and Ciro Immobile.

The win saw Lazio climb into second place with 20 points, three points behind League leaders Napoli

Lazio have enjoyed contrasting form in the Europa League where they sit third in Group F, with one loss, one draw and one win. 

I Biancocelesti played out a 0-0 draw against the Austrians in the first leg in Austria. With all four teams in Group F tied on four points, Maurizio Sarri will now hope to seize the opportunity to go top by securing all three points this time.

Lazio’s home form has been impressive this season. I Biancocelesti have suffered just one defeat at home this season, and with five wins including an impressive victory over Inter Milan in round three of the Italian Serie A, the omens bode well for Maurizio Sarri and his side. But the Italian coach will be wary of a solid, well-drilled Sturm Graz side.

Possible Lazio starting line-up

Ivan Provedel; Elseid Hysaj; Mario Gila, Alessio Romagnoli, Adam Marusic; Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Danilo Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Felipe Anderson, Pedro, Ciro Immobile.

Injured: None 

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Sturm Graz

Sturm Graz have enjoyed yet another spectacular start to the season. 

Christian IIzer’s side sit in second place in the Austrian Bundesliga after eleven rounds of football, just two points behind RB Salzburg in the first place. 

The Austrian side however find themselves in fourth place on goal difference in Group F of the Europa League, after scoring just one goal in three rounds of football. 

Their solitary win came in their first opening game win over Midtjylland, a win which was quickly followed by a 6-0 thrashing in the hands of Feyenoord

Sturm Graz put in an impressive performance to stifle Lazio in their first leg and remained focused to see out the game despite going a man down in the 81st minute after Jusuf Gazibegovic received his second booking of the night.

The Austrian side now travel to Italy in a bid to finish the job they started last week. IIzer will be wary of a strong Lazio side who have been dominant at home this season, but with an improved performance from their first leg match, the Austrian coach will fancy his team’s chances of coming away from Italy with a good result. 

Also, with no outright leaders in Group F, Sturm Graz will be expected to start on the front foot as they look to make a big leap from the bottom to the top of the table. 

Possible Sturm Graz starting line-up

Joerg Siebenhandl; Alexander Borkovic, David Affengruber; Gregory Wuethrich, Amadou Dante; Stefan Hierlaender, Jon Gorenc-Stankovic, Alexander Prass; Tomi Horvat, William Boeving, Albian Ajeti.

Injured: Vesel Demaku

Doubtful: Jorg Siebenhandl

Suspended: Jusuf Gazibegovic

Prediction

Lazio 2-2 Sturm Graz