Lazio take a slender 2-1 lead into the second leg of their Europa League tie against Viktoria Plzen but the Italians have the home advantage this time around.
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Lazio vs Viktoria Plzen prediction: Goals expected in Rome?
Key Stats
- Viktoria Plzen's Europa League campaign began back in August and eight of the Czechia club's 15 games have ended with both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals being scored.
- The visitors have only failed to score in two of their 15 Europa League games so far this season.
- lazio's Boulaye Dia has had 11 shots in the Europa League this season and boasts a 63.6% shots on target ratio with an average of 2.15 shots on target per 90 minutes.
Correct score prediction: Lazio 3-1 Viktoria Plzen
Lazio have scored at least three goals in four of their Europa League games this season, including their last home game against Real Sociedad, but the Italians have only managed to keep three clean sheets since their opening game against Dynamo Kyiv back in September.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Lazio the overwhelming favourite
- HOME: 3/8 (1.38) – 72.7%
- DRAW: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%
- AWAY: 17/2 (9.50) – 10.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Lazio are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 72.7% and we can't argue with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First blood to Lazio
Lazio claimed a 2-1 win in Czechia last week in what was the first-ever meeting between the two clubs.
UEFA Europa League 06/03/25
Viktoria Plzen
Lazio
Lazio preview: Won 2-1 but lost two players
Lazio did well to come away with any kind of lad from the first leg of their Europa League tie against Viktoria Plzen last week.
The Italians took the lead via centre-back Alessio Romagnoli in the 18th minute but Plzen got back onto level terms early in the second half. In the 77th minute, Lazio midfielder Nicolo Rovella was shown a red card and with the game entering stoppage-time and heading for a draw, his teammate Samuel Gigot was handed his marching orders. Lazio, now down to nine men, mustered up one final attack in the 98th minute and their Danish winger Gustav Isaksen scored to hand the Serie A side a precious lead.
Valentin Castellanos and Elseid Hysaj are expected to miss the second leg through injury, while Rovella and Gigot are suspended.
Predicted lineup: Provedel (GK), Romagnoli, Marusic, Gila, Tavares, Guendouzi, Vecino, Zaccagni, Isaksen, Dia & Noslin
Italy Serie A 10/03/25
D
Udinese
1
Lazio
1
UEFA Europa League 06/03/25
W
Viktoria Plzen
1
Lazio
2
Italy Serie A 02/03/25
W
AC Milan
1
Lazio
2
Coppa Italia 25/02/25
L
Inter Milan
2
Lazio
0
Italy Serie A 22/02/25
D
Venezia
0
Lazio
0
Viktoria Plzen preview: Missed a big opportunity?
Viktoria Plzen may have squandered any chance they had at progressing into the quarter-finals of the Europa League this season following that 2-1 defeat in Czechia last week.
The odds were always against Plzen ahead of kick-off but after seeing Lazio reduced to nine men, surely the hosts should have been the one taking a narrow lead into Thursday's second leg rather than their opponents.
The guests from Czechia have no fresh injury concerns or suspended players so could go with the same starting lineup that gave Lazio such a tough test last week.
Predicted lineup: Jedlicka (GK), Jemelka, Markovic, Dweh, Kalvach, Cadu, Sulc, Cerv, Memic, Vydra & Durosinmi
Czechia First League 09/03/25
D
Pardubice
0
Viktoria Plzen
0
UEFA Europa League 06/03/25
L
Lazio
2
Viktoria Plzen
1
Czechia First League 02/03/25
W
Mlada Boleslav
0
Viktoria Plzen
2
Czechia Cup 27/02/25
W
FC Trinity Zlin
1
Viktoria Plzen
4
Czechia First League 23/02/25
L
Slavia Prague
3
Viktoria Plzen
1
Player to watch: Mattia Zaccagni
Lazio midfielder Mattia Zaccagni is into his fourth season with the club where he continues to provide goals and assists on a regular basis.
This season, the 29-year-old has scored eight times and provided six assists in his 25 appearances in Italy's top-flight, making him a huge threat in and around the opposition's penalty area. The attacking midfielder has featured in seven Europa League games for the Italian side and he has scored twice in three starts and four substitute appearances.
The Lazio midfielder is enjoying another fine season
We're expecting Zaccagni to put in another excellent performance at home against Viktoria Plzen on Thursday evening, helping to guide the Serie A side into the quarter-finals.