'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Southampton will welcome Lazio to St. Mary's Stadium in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday. Both teams will play one more friendly later this week before beginning their respective league campaigns later this month.
The hosts have enjoyed a good run in the pre-season this far, winning four of the five games. They suffered a 2-0 loss to Oxford United in the midweek and bounced back with a 1-0 win over Millwall, with Adam Armstrong scoring the match-winner.
The visitors have enjoyed an unbeaten run in the pre-season, winning three of the four games. They met local rivals Frosinone in a friendly last week and goals from Matias Vecino and Mattia Zaccagni helped them to a comfortable 2-0 win.
The hosts returned to the Premier League after just one season in the Championship and play Newcastle United in their campaign opener. The visitors will play newly promoted Venezia in their Serie A campaign opener.
Southampton vs Lazio Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time.
- The hosts have squared off against an Italian side twice, with both meetings coming against Inter Milan in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League 2016-17 season. They registered a home win and suffered a defeat in the reverse fixture.
- The visitors have locked horns against English sides 19 times in all competitions, including friendlies. They have just four wins in these games.
- Southampton have scored 14 goals in five friendlies while conceding six goals. Lazio have also enjoyed a decent goalscoring run in the pre-season, with nine goals in four games.
- Interestingly, three of the visitors' four wins against English teams have come in away games.
Southampton vs Lazio Prediction
The Saints have won four of their five friendlies and kept their first clean sheet last week. They play for the first time at St. Mary's Stadium in the pre-season and will look to continue their form in this match. Manager Russell Martin is expected to make a few changes to the starting XI from their previous match and utilize academy players here.
The Biancocelesti have enjoyed an unbeaten run in the pre-season and have kept clean sheets in their last two outings. They have a good record in recent meetings against English teams in their travels and will look to build on that form.
Both teams have enjoyed a good goalscoring run in the pre-season thus far and this match should be an entertaining affair. Considering the home advantage for the Saints, they are expected to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Southampton 3-2 Lazio
Southampton vs Lazio Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Southampton to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Mattia Zaccagni to score or assist any time - Yes
