The Matchday 7 clash in the 2024/25 Europa League between Lazio (Italy) and Real Sociedad (Spain) will take place on January 23 at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Lazio vs. Real Sociedad: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Lawrence Visser (Belgium)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 36;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.1;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 14%.
Predicted lineups for Lazio vs. Real Sociedad
Lazio (4-4-2): Christos Mandas – Manuel Lazzari, Patric Gabarron, Samuel Gigot, Luca Pellegrini – Lume Chaouna, Nicolo Rovella, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Pedro Rodriguez – Valentin Castellanos, Boulaye Dia.
Real Sociedad (4-3-3): Alejandro Remiro – Aihen Munoz, Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Nayef Aguerd – Brais Mendez, Jon Ander Olasagasti, Urko Gonzalez – Mikel Oyarzabal, Sheraldo Becker, Takefusa Kubo.
Each team's starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament is listed.
Lazio
Marco Baroni's side defeated Ajax away (3-1) in the last round. As a result, Lazio secured their fifth victory in the current Europa League campaign, scoring at least two goals in each win. The club only dropped points once, drawing with Ludogorets (0-0), and currently leads the group stage with 16 points. Notably, the Romans have already secured a playoff spot and will advance directly to the Round of 16 with a win.
Defender Patric Gabarron, as well as midfielders Manuel Lazzari and Matias Vecino, will miss the game due to injuries. Defenders Samuel Gigot and Luca Pellegrini are suspended.
- The team has scored at least twice in regular time in 6 of their last 7 home matches in the Europa League.
- At least three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 6 of the club's last 7 home games in this European competition.
- The number "2" has appeared in the scoreline at the end of regular time in 5 of Lazio's last 7 home matches in the Europa League.
Real Sociedad
In the last round, Imanol Alguacil's side left no chance for Dynamo Kyiv at home (3-0). As a result, Real Sociedad secured their second consecutive victory in the Europa League, both with clean sheets. Furthermore, the club scored more than two goals for the first time in this tournament's current edition. In the standings, the Spaniards are in 12th place with ten points and will remain contenders for a playoff spot regardless of the outcome of the upcoming match.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Europa League (4 wins, 2 draws).
- The team scored in the first half in 4 of their last 5 away games in this European competition.
- The number "2" has appeared in the scoreline at the end of regular time in 7 of Real Sociedad's last 9 away matches in the Europa League.
Lazio vs. Real Sociedad: Match Prediction
At home, the Romans aim to dominate and spend a lot of time on the attack regardless of the opponents' level. This approach has paid off: Lazio has scored in 6 of their last 7 home matches in the Europa League, each time netting at least two goals. However, their defense is not flawless, as they have kept a clean sheet only once in this span.
Real Sociedad also favors an active attacking game. In 10 of their last 11 away Europa League matches, the club found the net, scoring twice in five of these games. However, their defense has room for improvement: in their last four away matches in this European competition, the Spaniards have not kept a single clean sheet, conceding a total of six goals during this period.
I believe both teams will effectively showcase their attacking capabilities in this encounter. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
