Salernitana vs Lazio prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-02-18 14:00.
There was a sense of déjà vu around Salerno as the news broke that manager Davide Nicola had been sacked for the second time within the space of a month! Originally axed in January, Nicola was re-appointed by Salernitana two days later and then relieved of his duties once again after a run of three defeats from four games left them just four points above the drop zone.
It really is game over for Nicola this time though, with former Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa taking the reins ahead of this clash. First on Sousa’s agenda will be to improve upon Salernitana’s measly five-point haul across the last ten rounds (W1, D2, L7), a record stronger than only rock-bottom Cremonese across that period.
Salernitana can perhaps take stock from Lazio’s hampered preparations for this clash following their Thursday night European clash against Cluj (W 1-0), though the sixth-placed side won with ease here last term (0-3) and cannot be underestimated. Although Lazio are winless in three league games (D2, L1), boss Maurizio Sarri won’t fear any potential ‘new manager bounce’ for the hosts as he’s never lost a touchline meeting with Sousa (W3, D2).
Building on that unbeaten record with a win is important for Sarri, as Lazio have not had to endure a run of four or more winless league games since a run of five in 2020. The silver lining for the visitors is the fact they enter this round with a nine-point cushion inside of the European placings, one which they’ll hope to maintain along with their rock-solid away league record this season (W5, D3, L2).
Players to watch: Salernitana’s Boulaye Dia is just three goal contributions shy of his best ever league season (G8, A4) after both scoring and assisting in two of his last five games. On the other hand, Lazio’s Ciro Immobile will be hoping to end his five-game goal drought in Serie A by building on his three strikes across his two personal H2Hs against Salernitana.
Hot stat: Salernitana have conceded before half-time in each of their last 11 league games.