Qualifying Playoff.
Stadium: Olimpico (Rome).
Referee: Craig Pawson.
16.02.2023 23:00
Prediction for the Conference League Lazio vs CFR Cluj match, which will take place on February 16th. The Romans are the big favorites for the game, which is certainly no surprise. At the same time, both teams approached the match not in the best mood, having failed their last games in the national championships. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.
Get Your Sign-Up Bonus!Lazio
Lazio's last win was on January 24. That day, the Eagles thrashed Milan 4:0 at the Olimpico. Since then, they got a 1:1 home draw with Fiorentina, a 0:1 draw from Juventus in the Coppa Italia, a 1:1 away loss to Verona, and a 0:2 home loss to Atalanta. As a result, Lazio dropped to sixth place in the standings with 39 points, only two points behind Roma from the top-4. Note that Lazio has an away match against Salernitana. After the return match in the LC, there is a home game against Sampdoria and a visit to Napoli. Lazio's home stats in Serie A are fifth in the division, +6=3-3, 21:12 goal difference. One can't qualify for the Champions League via the UEFA Conference, but via Serie A, the Romans have a good chance for the top 4. That's a question of priority. Lazio's main lineup won't take on the Romanians, but half and a half is more likely. On the other hand, after the return leg in Romania, there are two heaping rounds of Serie A. So the Romans need to solve the issue with the last 16 of the LC already in the first home game.
Cluj
The Romanian championship resumed not long ago, at the end of January. After the pause, CFR Cluj played four games in the tournament, getting victories over Farul 3:0 and Voluntari 1:0 and defeats from FCSB 0:1 and Universitatea 0:2. Cluj is second, two points behind the leading Farul. They have already secured a place in the championship playoffs. Cluj has the best away statistics in the Romanian elite - 8-2-3, 18-12 goal difference. In contrast to Lazio, everything is evident with the Romanians regarding motivation.
Expert Betting Tips
On the one hand, the players of Lazio will try to reach the last 16 in the first game. On the other hand, the priority of the Romans is Serie A. Plus, the coaching staff is unlikely to field the strongest squad, given that only three days later, they need to beat Salernitana. Also, Cluj has yet to score in their last two games in the home league. And the opponents were not the strongest. As we see it, Lazio will beat Romanian at home, but it's unlikely that the game will be packed with goals, and we wonder if Cluj will score at the Olimpico.