CFR Cluj v Lazio Betting Tip Lazio – 19 September 2019

Lazio to get campaign off to winning start

RomaniaCFR Cluj v LazioItaly
Thursday 19th September 1755hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick Lazio
Bookmaker  Betfair
Odds: 5/6 (odds taken 19.00 GMT, Wednesday 18 September)

1 X 2
15/4 51/20 77/100

* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on September 18, 2019 at 19.00)

The Europa League group stage begins this week and we venture into Group E for our first preview. Cluj were eliminated at the playoff stage of Champions League qualifying and face a difficult task at home to Lazio.

Europa League Betting at Betfair

CFR Cluj Preview – Can Romanians make a winning start to Europa League by upsetting Lazio?

Qualification for any group stage would have been the aim for Cluj when their European campaign got underway back in early July. Having not competed in Europe for a number of years this is only their second campaign since that ban was over. Dan Petrescu’s men were unseeded in the Champions League but went on a terrific run to reach the playoff state. Their route to that point was a challenging one having had to face Astana, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Celtic. The Romanian champions were able to turn in three massive performances in each of the second legs of those ties, eventually squaring off against Slavia Prague for a place in the group stage of European footballs Premier club competition. Unfortunately it was a step too far, losing 2-0 on aggregate.

Regardless of that eliminate it’s been a brilliant effort from Peterescu and his players to get so far already. They now face their first game in a Europa League group stage since the 2009/10 campaign. However, they did enter the knockout phase of this competition three seasons after that having finished third in their Champions League group. Domestically, their form has picked up of late and they have now found their way back to the top of the league. It should set them up well for what is going to be a difficult opening game in Group E.

Under 2.5 goals
9/10

MarathonBet

Lazio Preview – Will Lazio bounce back from disappointing defeat in Serie A to take all three points here?

Lazio enjoyed a really productive season last time around by winning the Coppa Italia and qualifying for Europe via their league position, too. The one disappointment for Simone Inzaghi will be that they have still to break into the Champions League group stage. That’s where the club can increase their status as well as their income and will be the aim once again this term. However, now that they are ready to begin another campaign in the Europa League the objective will be to get as far as possible. Inzaghi has always valued this competition and he will be looking for a prolonged run.

The Italians have reached the knockout stage in four of the last five seasons with their best showing coming in 2017/18 when making it all the way to the quarter finals. Defeat to RB Salzburg on that occasion will still probably sting a little after what was a second leg collapse away from home. Unlike their opponents, it was a disappointing domestic defeat that has preceded this game. Having taken four points form their first two games, a 2-1 one loss away to SPAL seen them lose their unbeaten start. They will be looking to bounce back on Thursday.

Key-Facts – CFR Cluj v Lazio

  • Cluj entered the Europa League having been knocked out of Champions League qualification by Slavia Prague in the group stage
  • Lazio are regular competitors in the Europa League have have reached the knockout stage in four of the last five seasons
  • Rennes and Celtic are the other two clubs who will be competing for qualification from Group E

CFR Cluj v Lazio Betting Advice

With Celtic and Rennes also drawn in this section it looks to be a really competitive group to get out of. Lazio, as top seeds, will feel they can negotiate that but will be well aware of how important a good start is. Cluj, on the other hand, are still finding their feet back in European football but they have acquitted themselves well to get to this stage.

The visitors have not covered themselves in glory away from home in the Europa League in recent times. Two wins from their last eight matches on the road will give their opponents hope they can get a result here. One of those defeats was in Romania back in February 2018 when losing to FCSB. This looks a more favourable tie for them, though, and they are taken to get all three points on match day one.