It’s Celtic vs Lazio on Wednesday as the Scottish champions welcome last season’s Serie A runners-up to Celtic Park in Group E of the Champions League. The Hoops failed to get out of the groups last term as they finished bottom of Group F without winning a single game. Meanwhile, this is the visitors’ first Champions League appearance since 2020/21.
Brendan Rodgers’ men lost 2-0 away to Feyenoord in their first group match of the season and were also reduced to nine men after the dismissals of Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Holm in the second period. Celtic will be searching for their first group stage win since 2017 here and it could be the perfect time to play the Biancocelesti since they are not in the best of form.
The visitors snatched a dramatic draw with the last action of the game in their Champions League opener. Goalkeeper Ivan Provedel managed to get on the scoresheet for the second time in his career as his last-gasp header earned Lazio a point at home to Atletico Madrid. It’s time to get into our Celtic vs Lazio preview.
Celtic Preview
Ange Postecoglou guided Celtic to an impressive domestic treble last season as they won the Scottish Premiership, League Cup and Scottish Cup. Winning the title ensured their spot in the Champions League and their place in the group stage for the second successive season. However, they will have to break a worrisome trend here since they haven’t won a home Champions League match since 2013.
Rodgers has returned to lead the Hoops this term, following the departure of Postecoglou, after his time with Leicester City came to an end. The Northern Irishman had previously managed at Parkhead between 2016 and 2019, lifting two Scottish league titles. He has led them to six wins this term, dropping points in just one league game.
Apart from their loss away to Feyenoord, Celtic had won every single match that they had played in September to leave them top of their domestic standings. They are currently on a run of four straight wins in the league, conceding just one goal in the process. That came at the weekend as Celtic defeated Motherwell 2-1 away from home.
One To Watch: Matt O’Riley
Twenty-two-year-old midfielder Matt O’Riley has been in fantastic form for Celtic so far this term and has scored five goals and assisted twice in just seven league matches. He has scored in his last three successive Scottish Premiership outings as well. Kyogo Furuhashi will also be a threat and is expected to lead the line.
Lazio Preview
The Biancocelesti suffered their fourth defeat of the season after just seven Serie A games at the weekend as they lost 2-0 away to Milan. Lazio have picked up just two league victories this term and drew their opening Champions League match at home to Atletico Madrid.
Defeats against Lecce, Genoa and Juventus put Marurizio Sarri’s Lazio in a bad position from the off. Even if they somehow defeated last season’s Scudetto winners Napoli on the road, Lazio have not been good enough and the relationship between Sarri and president Claudio Lotito has become strained.
A return to Europe may lead to prosperity for Lazio, however, since they are undefeated across their last seven Champions League group stage matches. Nevertheless, the Biancocelesti will have to overcome their losses against Celtic during the 2019/20 Europa League campaign. Playing away from home in Europe has proven to be tough business as well since Lazio are without a win on their travels in 20 years in the Champions League.
One To Watch: Ciro Immobile
The veteran striker should be ready to return to the starting line-up on Wednesday, despite starting on the bench at the weekend. He has just two league goals this term and had his lowest goal tally in the league last season since 2015/16 with Torino. However, the 33-year-old still remains a top-quality threat in the forward line and will be looking to get back in shape here.
Head-to-Head
As previously alluded to, Lazio do not have very fond memories when coming up against Celtic. The two teams were drawn together in Group E of the Europa League back during the 2019/20 season. The Hoops won both fixtures, recording a 2-1 win at Stadio Olimpico after already winning by the same scoreline at Celtic Park. In the end, the Scottish outfit would top the group, with Lazio eliminated in third-place. The Biancocelesti will be searching for revenge this time around.
Celtic vs Lazio Potential Lineups & Team News
Celtic (4-3-3): Joe Hart; Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Greg Taylor; Matt O’Riley, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate; Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Luis Palma
Lagerbielke and Holm are banned after they got sent off against Feyenoord. That could leave a spot open for Cameron Carter-Vickers to return to the side as he is progressing well with his injury. If he isn’t fit enough to feature, Nathaniel Phillips will likely get the start. Stephen Welsh, Liel Abada, James McCarthy, Maik Nawrocki and Marco Tilo will all miss out.
Lazio (4-3-3): Ivan Provedel; Manuel Lazzari, Patric, Nicolo Casale, Adam Marusic; Daichi Kamada, Matias Vecino, Luis Alberto; Felipe Anderson, Ciro Immobile, Pedro
Captain Ciro Immobile has been battling injury problems of late which kept him from making the starting line-up against Milan. However, he should be ready to return here. If not, Taty Castellanos will keep his spot as the centre forward. Spaniard Pedro will be battling it out with Felipe Anderson and Mattia Zaccagni in the front three.
Celtic vs Lazio Prediction
The hosts are in superb form but the Scottish Premiership fails to replicate the same calibre of teams that feature in the Champions League. Lazio have struggled away in Europe for some time but now is the time for them to end their dismal run on the road.
Celtic 0-2 Lazio