Lazio vs Sassuolo prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-05-02 19:00.
After recording back-to-back league defeats for the first time since the festive period, second-placed Lazio’s mathematical best finish could be to level league-leading Napoli’s current 79-point haul. Consequently, anything short of victory here will send the Scudetto to Naples but perhaps of more concern to Lazio, their grip on a top-four berth would come under threat.
That’s because coming into the round just six points separate the sides between second and seventh, so the visit of a Sassuolo team with little to play for could come at an opportune time. Yet playing at home hasn’t been an indicator of success for Lazio this season, with Maurizio Sarri’s men one of just five Serie A (SA) sides averaging a lower points per game at home (1.88) than away (1.94).
Now sitting 16 points above the drop zone with just 18 left to play for, Sassuolo can officially secure their safety with a victory here, although they’ve almost certainly already done enough. The Neroverdi came from behind to win after having Andrea Pinamonti sent off last time out against Sampdoria, with a stunning last-gasp penalty sending the Mapei Stadium into raptures.
Pleasing the travelling fans is next on the agenda for Sassuolo, although they enter this clash on the back of consecutive travelling defeats. Even so, they had put together a five-game unbeaten run of away games prior to that (W3, D2), which included an incredible 4-3 win at this very stadium against Lazio’s bitter rivals, Roma.
Players to watch: Mattia Zaccagni has scored the decisive goal in Lazio’s last two home wins and his first-ever goal for Lazio came against none other than Sassuolo. Domenico Berardi was the hero in the previous round, scoring twice beyond the 80-minute mark to secure victory for his side. The 28-year-old marksman now has seven goal contributions across his last seven appearances (G4, A3).
Hot stat: Lazio have won fewer than half of their SA home games as pre-match favourites this season (W5, D3, L3).