Plzen vs Lazio prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-03-05 20:00.
[p]Despite losing on matchday eight of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) 3-1 to Athletic Club, Viktoria Plzeň made it to the knockout phase play-off as the last seeded team (W3, D3, L2) where they beat Ferencváros 3-1 on aggregate. That was achieved despite losing the first leg 1-0 away from home, so starting well in this Round of 16 tie with Lazio looks crucial as they host the first leg, but at least they do so in good form having beaten Mladá Boleslav 2-0 in the league on Sunday.[/p]
[p]Miroslav Koubek’s side have become very hard to beat on their own turf, as they have only lost one of their last 17 UEL home fixtures (W15, D1), although none of those games were against Italian opponents. Worryingly on that front, Plzeň have failed to score in their last two home European outings against sides from Italy (D1, L1) since beating Lazio’s fierce rivals Roma 2-1 in 2018.[/p]
[p]Lazio topped the league phase standings despite also losing on matchday eight, although by then their progress to the Round of 16 had already been assured (W6, D1, L1). Now taking on Plzeň for the first time, the Eagles’ experience of playing against sides from the Czech Republic is limited to sharing the honours across six matches against Sparta Prague (W2, D2, L2).[/p]
[p]Before losing at Braga on matchday eight, Lazio had won their first three UEL league phase away games while scoring at least twice in each fixture. Marco Baroni’s men should still be confident after striking late to beat AC Milan 2-1 away from home on Sunday in their final game before heading to the Czech Republic.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Centre-back Václav Jemelka has netted Plzeň’s opener between the 25th and 35th minute in two of their last four games, starting with the second leg here against Ferencváros (W 3-0). He will also have to keep an eye on Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni, who opened the scoring before half-time in two of Lazio’s last four away games in all competitions. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Each of Lazio’s last three UEL games featured a goal within the opening 15 minutes (W2, L1).[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]