Against All Odds: Rome to the capital of goals

14Mar 2013

Europa Liga

Lazio and Stuttgart meet in the second leg of their Europa League tie this evening and Paul Robinson thinks we could be in for a few goals.

Three winners from four selections has got us back on the front foot and I'm hopeful of finishing the week in style.

Lazio were sent off at a tasty price in Germany last week and they duly delivered with a 2-0 victory to put them within touching distance of the quarter-finals. They were beaten in Serie A on Sunday though, conceding two goals at home to Fiorentina and that must be a slight concern for Vladimir Petković.

In fairness to Lazio though, they have a fantastic record at Stadio Olimpico usually. That defeat at the weekend was only their second in front of their own fans since September. They are usually good for a couple of goals as well and while they have racked up a fair few clean sheets, tonight's opponents will have to throw caution to the wind.

Stuttgart have faltered since the winter break; seven losses from a dozen matches and just three wins. They've lost their last three on the bounce and the 1-0 home defeat to Hamburg on Sunday was not a good way to prepare for their trip to Rome.

Bruno Labbadia will take a bit of hope from the fact that they've won two from their last three on the road. The Reds need at least two goals to have any chance of progress so the manager will no doubt set up an attacking team. An early goal is absolutely vital but given the necessity to push forward, they will be susceptible to the Italians on the counter attack.

This could possibly turn out to be a damp squib, especially if Lazio get a goal up, but I think there is definite value in taking on under 2.5 goals. That's why, at around the 1.83 mark, I have to make it my lay of the day.