Lazio will host Real Sociedad at the iconic Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, January 23, 2025, with significant stakes on the line for both teams as part of the UEFA Europa League group stage. The match kicks off at 20:00 GMT, with the home side coming off the back of an impressive 3-0 victory over Hellas Verona.
The Biancocelesti, led by manager Marco Baroni, sit atop their Europa League group with 16 points and are poised to secure their place in the Round of 16 with just one more win. A solid performance on home turf could cap off their impressive group stage run, having already claimed five victories and one draw from their six matches. Baroni is likely to stick with his attacking 4-2-3-1 formation, featuring key players such as Taty Castellanos, who leads the line, and the influential Mattia Zaccagni, the team captain.
Despite their strong standings, Lazio faces challenges with injuries and suspensions. Notable absences include Patric, Manuel Lazzari, and Matias Vecino, along with suspended defenders Luca Pellegrini and Samuel Gigot. This has led to the promotion of young goalkeeper Christos Mandas and the inclusion of Adam Marusic and Nuno Tavares along the backline. Marco Baroni's squad depth will be tested, but their recent form suggests they have what it takes to maintain their dominance.
On the opposing side, Real Sociedad travels to Rome still searching for the consistency needed to make headway in the tournament. Currently sitting 12th with 10 points, the Spanish side suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of Valencia, only adding pressure as they seek to recover before facing the leaders of the group. Imanol Alguacil's men will have to figure out how to break down Lazio's solid defensive unit and capitalise on any mistakes.
Real Sociedad deals with its struggles as well, most visibly with the absence of Hamari Traoré, sidelined due to injury, which disrupts their defensive strategies. The team's lineup is expected to feature Alex Remiro as goalkeeper, complemented by Aihen Munoz, Nayef Aguerd, Igor Zubeldia, and Jon Aramburu at the back. The Spanish side, known for their technical football, may rely heavily on the talents of midfielders Brais Mendez and Urko Gonzalez, as well as forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who will look to convert opportunities against Lazio.
Historically, Lazio has been strong at home, with their supporters providing immense encouragement, and they aim to capitalize on this advantage against Real Sociedad, who have never won against Italian sides away from home. With their previous encounters resulting only from club friendlies, the stakes remain raised for this match as it marks their first official European meeting.
Both teams come with their own motivations—the pressure is on Lazio to maintain their position at the top of the table, securing their status as one of the leading contenders, whereas Real Sociedad is striving to uplift their own squad morale after their latest defeat. With so much at stake, the upcoming clash is bound to be riveting as both teams showcase their talents on the European stage.
Betting insights predict Lazio to win this fixture, reflecting their current form and home advantage, with odds around 2.35 at various betting companies. The predictions include expectations of over 2.5 goals for the match, showcasing confidence not just in Lazio's offense but also the potential for Real Sociedad to ignite their scoring capabilities.
With both teams desperate for points and pride on the line, only one question remains: who will emerge victorious from this thrilling Europa League encounter? Lazio's solid stance leading the group meets Real Sociedad’s need for redemption—a scenario sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.