Lazio
MonzaBy Tunde Ogundipe — Football expert covering Premier League, MLS, J1 League, and more
Lazio entered the international break sitting unexpectedly among the top three, and the Biancocelesti are eager to hold onto that lofty spot after Matchday 6. Fortunately for them, the upcoming opponent looks like a tailor-made opportunity. The Romans have not lost to Monza in the 21st century, winning four of their last six head-to-head clashes.
The appointment of Gennaro Gattuso was initially met with skepticism by the Lazio faithful, but the former midfielder has orchestrated the club’s best start since the three-points-per-win system was introduced. Collecting 13 points from a possible 15, the team has found an impressive equilibrium between defense and attack. Under the current boss, the Eagles play with a consistent structure: they defend soundly, win the ball back quickly after losing it, and stretch the pitch to move the ball forward.
The attacking lynchpin is Mattia Zaccagni, who was surprisingly overlooked by Roberto Mancini when the national team was called up. For three straight Serie A rounds, the Lazio captain has not left the pitch without a contribution—a goal against Venezia (2-0) and assists versus Milan (2-2) and Udinese (2-1). However, the capital side does have personnel issues, and they are spread across every department except the goalkeeper. Up front, Gattuso cannot call on Gudmundsson and Cancellieri, who scored against Udinese and Milan respectively; the midfield has lost its quality passer Rovella; and on the right side of the defense, the experienced Marusic remains unavailable.
Ivan Juric couldn't handle the top-tier pressure, failing at Roma and Atalanta, but for mid-table and relegation-threatened clubs in Serie A, he remains one of the best options on the coaching market. The ideological disciple of Gian Piero Gasperini is now proving his worth at Monza, where he looks capable of steering the team clear of relegation to Serie B. In the last round before the international break, the Biancoblu claimed their first league win, overcoming a resurgent Sassuolo (2-1) and climbing out of the drop zone. What also stands out is the sheer volume of chances they create. Averaging 1.73 xG per game, they boast the fifth-best expected goals total in the division.
Monza’s trump card is Gustavo Varela. The Portuguese striker has already bagged four Serie A goals, making him one of the most prolific players at the start of the season. Supporting him are Andrea Colpani and Jay Robinson, who will need to find space between the lines and help the team escape Lazio’s suffocating press. The visitors’ midfield, on the other hand, is suffering due to the injury of captain Matteo Pessina, whose return is not expected before November. In defense, the Lombards are missing Jan Ziolkowski, on loan from Roma and potentially the club’s strongest defender.
Lazio (4-3-3): Mandas - Floriani, Shutalo, Prostor, Tavares - Taylor, Belahyane, Frattesi - Isaksen, Noslin, Zaccagni
Unavailable: Cataldi, Marusic, Rovella, Cancellieri, Przyborek, Gudmundsson (all injured)
Head Coach: Gennaro Gattuso
Monza (3-4-2-1): Tornqvist - Kuadio, Lucchesi, Carboni - Birindelli, Akinsanmiro, Folorunsho, Mangas - Colpani, Robinson - Varela
Unavailable: Pessina, Ziolkowski, Toure, Curria (all injured)
Head Coach: Ivan Juric
Collu is hardly a strict official. Only in three of his last eight Serie A matches has he issued more than three yellow cards. He also rarely points to the spot—just one penalty in his previous ten official games.
Main Picks: Monza performed well against Sassuolo, but now the Lombards face a different calibre of opponent—one that can not only dominate territory but also suffocate the Serie A newcomers with their counter-pressing. Lazio are improving with every matchday, and the only team that has managed to withstand their pressure in the league so far is Milan (2-2), a perennial Scudetto contender. Yet even in that game against the Rossoneri, Gattuso’s men created more chances (2.0 vs. 1.22 xG) and deserved to take all three points. Against one of the division’s underdogs, it’s worth backing the usual routine: a Lazio victory with a -1.5 handicap at 2.63.
Goals Market: Still, the guests can reasonably hope to beat Mandas. They are creating plenty of opportunities, and both teams have scored in all five of Monza’s league matches this season. Lazio, for their part, have conceded three times in their last three rounds, so the “both teams to score” option at 1.83 also looks appealing.
The editorial prediction is provided for informational purposes only and should not be treated as a direct call to action. Every reader should do their own analysis before deciding on a bet.
Lazio4-3-3
Monza3-4-2-1Statistics point to a fairly card-rich Serie A clash between Lazio and Monza. With both sides likely to battle hard in midfield, the referee should have plenty of chances to reach for the book. I’m backing over 3.5 yellow cards at 1.60.
Lazio hosting Monza in Serie A. I'm backing the home side with a handicap (0) at 1.20. Sure, a straight win is on the table, but the handicap gives me that extra layer of security.
Lazio look the obvious side to back here, and I’m taking them to net at least twice. Against a Monza outfit that’s hardly built to frustrate, the hosts should have enough firepower to clear the 1.5 team-goal line, and at 1.74 that price feels well worth the ride.
Lazio will comfortably cover the -1.5 handicap against Monza. Expect a win by at least two goals — the margin should be solid.
Lazio’s home dominance and their momentum before the international break make the handicap -1 a solid play here. At the Stadio Olimpico, they’ll look to control possession and gradually pin Monza back, with midfield movement and late runs into the box being key. If Lazio can switch play quickly from flank to flank, Monza will be forced to chase without the ball, leaving gaps near the box. The visitors need to avoid getting drawn into an open game—sloppy giveaways will only let Lazio recycle possession and camp in their half. Monza’s best shot is to keep it tidy in possession and pick their moments on the break.
That said, the bet carries real risk. Lazio could run into a deep, stubborn block and struggle to break through early. If the first goal comes late, there may not be enough time for a second. Another danger: an early lead that makes them drop the tempo and just manage the result. The international break also adds uncertainty—key players might return fatigued, or the coach could rotate, hurting attacking fluidity. I’m still taking the bet, but it’s a cautious one; I won’t be around to monitor lineups in the morning, so this is a calculated push play.
Lazio look the obvious side to back here, and I’m taking them to net at least twice. Against a Monza outfit that’s hardly built to frustrate, the hosts should have enough firepower to clear the 1.5 team-goal line, and at 1.74 that price feels well worth the ride.
Lazio hosting Monza in Serie A. I'm backing the home side with a handicap (0) at 1.20. Sure, a straight win is on the table, but the handicap gives me that extra layer of security.
Lazio will comfortably cover the -1.5 handicap against Monza. Expect a win by at least two goals — the margin should be solid.
Lazio’s home dominance and their momentum before the international break make the handicap -1 a solid play here. At the Stadio Olimpico, they’ll look to control possession and gradually pin Monza back, with midfield movement and late runs into the box being key. If Lazio can switch play quickly from flank to flank, Monza will be forced to chase without the ball, leaving gaps near the box. The visitors need to avoid getting drawn into an open game—sloppy giveaways will only let Lazio recycle possession and camp in their half. Monza’s best shot is to keep it tidy in possession and pick their moments on the break.
That said, the bet carries real risk. Lazio could run into a deep, stubborn block and struggle to break through early. If the first goal comes late, there may not be enough time for a second. Another danger: an early lead that makes them drop the tempo and just manage the result. The international break also adds uncertainty—key players might return fatigued, or the coach could rotate, hurting attacking fluidity. I’m still taking the bet, but it’s a cautious one; I won’t be around to monitor lineups in the morning, so this is a calculated push play.
Statistics point to a fairly card-rich Serie A clash between Lazio and Monza. With both sides likely to battle hard in midfield, the referee should have plenty of chances to reach for the book. I’m backing over 3.5 yellow cards at 1.60.
The Serie A match takes place on 11.10.2026 at 14:00. The exact venue is not mentioned in the preview.
The main pick is a Lazio victory with a -1.5 handicap at odds of 2.63. The review also notes that both teams to score at 1.83 looks appealing.
Lazio are the clear favorites. They are in the top three, have not lost to Monza in the 21st century, and have won four of their last six head-to-head meetings.
Lazio are missing Gudmundsson, Cancellieri, Rovella, Marusic, Cataldi, and Przyborek due to injury. Monza are without captain Pessina, Ziolkowski, Toure, and Curria.
Lazio captain Mattia Zaccagni has contributed a goal or assist in three straight Serie A rounds. Monza's striker Gustavo Varela has already scored four league goals this season.