Braga vs Lazio prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-29 20:00.
[p]Back-to-back UEFA Europa League (UEL) defeats have seen Braga drop outside of the play-off places heading into matchday eight, two points adrift of the top-24. Victory is therefore imperative against top-of-the-table Lazio if they’re to stand any chance of progression, though three consecutive domestic wins either side of defeat to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on matchday seven should bolster confidence.[/p]
[p]Braga have also won both of their home matches in January, leading 2-0 at the break in each. That was also the case in their last UEL fixture on home turf against Hoffenheim (W 3-0), but a repeat of that here looks tricky given that Braga have lost each of their last three games as hosts against Italian opposition.[/p]
[p]Their chances are boosted by the arrival of a Lazio side with little to play for on matchday eight, as they’re assured of an automatic place in the last 16 after an unbeaten start to the UEL (W6, D1). The Eagles arrive in Portugal bruised after a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina on Sunday night however, with that loss extending a recent wobble to just two wins in six matches across all competitions (D2, L2).[/p]
[p]Marco Baroni’s men have been imperious on their European travels this season however (W3), conceding just once across those victories. Lazio have never previously won four major European away matches in succession, and to do that they’ll have to overcome shaky recent form against Portuguese opponents, losing five of their last seven trips to these shores (W2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Amine El Ouazzani netted his fourth European goal this term in his last UEL match, with five of his last seven strikes in any competition arriving after the break. Mattia Zaccagni has directly contributed to three goals across his last three matches (G2, A1), with each of his eight strikes this term arriving in victories.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Four of Lazio’s last five matches have seen the opening goal arrive inside the first 15 minutes.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tomáš Vlasák[/i][/p]