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Lazio -160 Favorite to Win UEL Group E

John Dillon

by John Dillon in Soccer News

Updated Mar 30, 2020 · 2:23 PM PDT

Ciro Immobile will be a key man for Lazio in the
Italian international midfielder Ciro Immobile will be hoping to inspire Lazio as they seek to build on their impressive record of qualification from the Europa League group stage. Photo from @Lazio Official(Twitter).
  • Italians have topped opening stage three times before
  • Rennes have caused a stir in Europe and in France
  • Celtic face outsiders Cluj seeking revenge for UCL exit

Lazio have been flying high in the early running in Italy’s Serie A and also hope to maintain their excellent record in the opening stage of the Europa League.

The Rome club were fourth in their domestic league after two fixtures and are favorites to win Group E in the European competition.

They are priced at -160 to top the section ahead of Rennes of France, who are rated at +400.

Celtic are also rated at +400 even though they were defeated in the Champions League third preliminary round this summer by the fourth team in the group – Romanian champions Cluj.

Europa League 2019-20 Group E Odds

Team Odds to Qualify Odds to Win
Lazio -550 -160
Rennes -110 +400
Celtic +100 +400
CFR Cluj +250 +1000

*Odds taken at 2019/09/13

At +1000, Cluj are the wide outsiders in the group.

Lazio have three times been group winners in the competition but Rennes have enjoyed some notable success this year.

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Memorable Victory Over Arsenal

They defeated eventual finalists Arsenal 3-1 in the first leg of the Europa League last 16 at home last season before losing 3-0 in the return in London.

They also stunned French football when they defeated mighty Paris Saint-Germain in the final of the Coupe De France in April – ending a run of four successive wins by the mega-rich outfit from the capital. After it finished 2-2 at the end of extra-time, Rennes won 6-5 on penalties.

They were second in France’s Ligue1 after four fixtures this season having recorded three wins and a draw. So their exploits this year and their current form suggests they may offer good value in terms of winning the group.

Cluj play host to Lazio in the opening round of fixtures on Thursday, September 19, at Stadion Dr. Constantin Radulescu, at 12:55 pm EST.

Lazio were eliminated at the last 32 stage of the competition last season as they lost home and away against Sevilla,

Rennes are at home to Celtic on Thursday, Septeber 19, at Roazhon Park at 12:55 pm EST.

Oddsmakers price Lazio at -550 to qualify first or second. Rennes have the edge over Celtic at -110, with the Scottish side at +100. Cluj are +250.

Lazio were eliminated at the last 32 stage of the competition last season as they lost home and away against Sevilla, 0-1 and 0-2.

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They qualified for this season’s competition by defeating Atalanta – Champions League participants in the current campaign – in the Coppa Italia final.

Their eighth appearance in the group stage equals the record set by Red Bull Salzburg.

Six-Time Advancing to Knockout Rounds

After failing to progress beyond the group stage in 2009-10 – the first season in which the competition was played in the Europa League format – they have enjoyed regular success in the opening section and have progressed six times.

They were group winners in 2012-13, 2015-16 and 2017-18.

Last season they finished second in their group behind eventual semifinallists Eintracht Frankfurt and ahead of Apollon Limassol of Cyprus and Marseilles.

The Italians best performances in the competition have been to reach the quarterfinals in 2012-13 and 2017-18.

Rennes’ progress to the last 16 last season represented their best campaign in European football.

Their European pedigree far outstrips that of Rennes. They won the now-defunct European Cup Winners Cup in 1998-99. They were runners-up in the former UFA Cup – fore-runner of the Europa League in 1997-98.

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Rennes’ progress to the last 16 last season represented their best campaign in European football.

They had finished second behind Dynamo Kiev in their group and ahead of Astana of Kazakhstan and Jablonec of the Czech Republic.

Celtic are viewing the quick return meeting with Cluj as an opportunity for revenge.

Lennon Under Fire After UCL Exit

The Scottish club’s manager, Neil Lennon, came under a hail of criticism after his team were knocked out of the Champions League by the Romanians earlier in the summer.

After a 1-1 first leg draw, Cluj pulled off a memorable 4-3 win in Glasgow.

But they were then defeated in the next round by Slavia Prague and were re-directed into the Europa League.

Celtic have historic pedigree as the first British winners of the European Cup in 1967

Celtic have reached the Champions League group stage four times during the past decade but have progressed no further.

They have historic pedigree as the first British winners of the European Cup in 1967.

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Last season they finished second in their group in the Europa League behind Red Bull Salzburg and ahead of RB Leipzig and Rosenborg of Norway.

They were knocked out by Valencia at the last 32 stage.

Comeback Against Gothenburg

After the defeat by Cluj, they won a Europa League qualifying tie against AIK Gothenborg with a 4-1 away victory following a 2-0 success at home.

They were leading the Scottish Premier League after four fixtures ahead of fierce rivals Rangers.

Cluj were in second place in the Romanian league after eight fixtures with five wins, two draws and one defeat.

Prediction: 1st Rennes; 2nd Lazio


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