Lazio v Saint-Etienne – Preview: Biancocelesti look for first win in competition

Date: 30th September 2015 at 4:40pm
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Lazio host French side Saint-Etienne at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening in a Group G encounter in the Europa League.

The Italian side began their Europa League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Dnipro last week and will look to make the best out of the home advantage against a team who are in fine form in Ligue 1. Saint-Etienne are in second place on 16 points, four behind Paris-Saint Germain.

While Lazio are on the back of a moral boosting 2-1 win against Hellas Verona at the weekend, Les Vertes had their preparations hindered following a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Nice at home.

Moreover, the French club are yet to win all three points on Italian soil and haven’t even scored a competitive goal in Italy. Their Europa league campaign got off to a shaky start with a 2-2 draw against Rosenborg only thanks to a late penalty awarded.

At the same time Lazio have scored just one goal in their last three European home games and their record against French opponents isn’t strong with five wins, three draws and six losses coming from their 14 matches.

There is a strong possibility that this game could produce lots of goals as both Lazio and Saint-Etienne have poor defensive records this season, having conceded 11 goals and nine goals in their respective leagues so far.

The home side will once again miss the vital services of Miroslav Klose up front due to injury. Other important players who will miss out include Antonio Candreva, Stefan de Vrij and Alessandro Matri.

As far as the away side are concerned, their only absentee is defender Kevin Theophile Catherine.

Form Guide: Lazio (W-W-L-D-W)  Saint-Etienne (L-W-W-D-W)

Expected Staring XIs

Lazio: Marchetti; Radu, Hoedt, Gentiletti, Basta; Biglia, Parolo; Lulic, Milinkovic, F.Anderson; Djordjevic

Saint-Etienne: Ruffier; Malcuit, Perrin, F.Pogba, Polomat; Lemoine, Clement; Hamouma, Eysseric, Bamba; Beric

 

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