Lazio vs Pescara: Preview and Prediction

Lazio vs Pescara
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Saturday, 17 September 2016
Kick-Off: 17:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome).

With just one win out of their first three matches, Lazio will be hoping to rebound as they welcome newly promoted Pescara to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening.

The Biancocelesti currently find themselves in tenth spot heading into round four, and will be coming into this match having had to settle for a one-all draw with Chievo. Whilst picking up a point against the Flying Donkeys – on their home turf – is a decent result, Lazio still have yet to win at home. Currently under the tutelage of former striker Simone Inzaghi, the Aquile have shown signs of attacking promise, but their leaky defense is a major source of concern.

In fact, they have scored as many goals – five – as they have conceded. As a result, they actually sit two spots behind the upcoming visiting Delfini due to an inferior goal differential. That being said, Pescara’s higher-placed position is quite deceptive.
The freshly promoted side actually have not won a single game this season, and rather were the fortunate recipients of a 3-0 result after Sassuolo’s administrative error. Nonetheless, Massimo Oddo’s outfit have received praise for their showings thus far.

They managed to hold Napoli to a 2-2 draw and were, in all honesty, quite unfortunate to lose to Inter. For most of that match, Pescara were leading 1-0 before Nerazzurri skipper Mauro Icardi netted two goals to snatch a first win for Inter. And the fact that he may have handled the ball in the buildup to his late winner will have left a bad taste in Pescara supporters’ mouths.

Lazio vs Pescara: Head-to-head statistics

• Lazio have faced Pescara twice before, winning both matches whilst outscoring their opponents 5-0.
• Out of their last 20 home matches against teams above them in the league table, Lazio have lost 13, drawn four, and won just three times.
• The Aquile have won nine and lost 11 out of their past 20 home fixtures against teams in the top half of the table.
• Pescara have lost 70 per cent of their last 20 away games

Lazio vs Pescara: Prediction

Both Lazio and Pescara are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, which should make for an open, end-to-end tie. Nonetheless, the Aquile have more than enough impetus to beat their visitors – despite the Delfini appearing to be better off than them in the table. As noted, Pescara have yet to actually win a match this season, and whilst they will attempt to threaten Lazio’s suspect defense, the Biancocelesti should be able to do enough to finally earn their first home win of the 2016/2017 season.