Lazio vs Mantova — Tips & Analysis

Lazio -1.25: Lazio's numbers look ordinary until you check the opponents. Their 6 wins, 4 ties and 5 losses in their last 15 came against Serie A sides. Inter twice, Roma, Napoli, Atalanta and Fiorentina all feature in the last ten. Mantova are a Serie B side who finished 11th, then lost their final warm up game 1-0 to Carpi of Serie C. That gap in class is the case here. Mantova also travel badly. They won 2, tied 1 and lost 5 in eight away games and let in more than a goal a game on those trips. Lazio have home advantage at the Olimpico and Gennaro Gattuso takes charge of his first competitive game. A new manager will want a clean, controlled night against a team from the division below. Both sides are cold, with 85 days since Lazio last played and 100 for Mantova. A 2-0 Lazio win is how this reads, with the game in hand long before the end. Two things could spoil it. This is the Round of 64, so a Serie A club often changes half its team, and a much changed Lazio would make this far closer. Lazio have also won by 2 or more in only 2 of their last 15 games, so a big win is not their habit. We are still with the better side to take control of this.