Lazio vs Dynamo Kyiv
UEFA Europa League
Date: Thursday, 8 March 2018
Kick-Off at 20:05 UK
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome).
Lazio have had a turbulent week behind them and it will be interesting to see how it will affect their display in the first leg of the last 16 round tie against Dynamo Kyiv. The Italians obviously head into the tie as massive favourites both on the night and over two legs, but the head coach Simone Inzaghi will have a massive challenge to raise the spirits ahead of this game after Lazio suffered two painful losses in their domestic affairs.
Biancocelesti have first failed to make it to the Coppa Italia final after falling only on penalties to in-form Milan side (neither of two legs produced a goal), while Saturday’s league clash saw them concede a 93-rd minute goal to Juventus (Paulo Dybala). The defeat has dropped them down to the fourth place in the Serie A ladder and Inzaghi’s side will face a huge battle to make the top-four at the end of the season and book their place in the Champions League next year.
The Ukrainians could thus well take advantage of this poor momentum to try and make a huge upset against massive favourites here. Dynamo Kyiv were anything but convincing so far in the competition as they topped the group only thanks to the lack of quality in it (Partizan Belgrade, Young Boys and Skenderbeu Korce) before going past AEK Athens on the away goals rule (1-1 on aggregate).
Lazio vs Dynamo Kyiv: Head-to-head
The two sides have not had the chance to take on each other previously.
Lazio vs Dynamo Kyiv: Prediction
Dynamo Kyiv have shown vulnerabilities at the back both in Europa League and domestic campaign (particularly on travels) and we can hardly see them stopping Lazio’s talisman Ciro Immobile here.
The Ukrainians’ visit will be the perfect occasion for the hosts to boost up their confidence after above mentioned failures and we believe that Biancocelesti are going to claim a convincing win and close the tie in the first leg in front of the home crowd on Thursday.
Lazio vs Dynamo Kyiv: Bet Tips
Lazio to win @ 1.40
Ciro Immobile to score anytime @ 1.53
