Lugano v Grasshoppers

Lugano vs Grasshoppers Preview

Lugano will be keen to improve upon last season's poor finish in the Swiss Super League when they take on Grasshoppers in their season opener at the Stadio di Cornaredo, while Grasshoppers will be desperate to avoid a repeat of last season's tense finish to their campaign as they had to overcome Thun in the relegation/promotion play-off at the end of last term in order to preserve their Super League status for another season.

Overall though, it was a pretty successful campaign last season for Lugano who were the eventual runners-up in the Championship Round after a second place finish at the end of the regular season, while also losing out in the final of the Schweizer Pokal cup competition on penalties to Servette.

Nevertheless, Lugano have qualified for a Champions League qualifier spot thanks to last season's runners-up finish and having won three of their four pre-season warm-up games, Mattia Croci-Torti's side will be in good spirits ahead of this season's opening home game at their Stadio di Cornaredo.

Lugano finished last season's campaign losing just twice in their final nine home games, picking up five wins in the process, while seven of these final nine home games also resulted in Under 2.5 goals.

Grasshoppers had to endure a two-legged play-off against Challenge League opponents, Thun, to determine relegation or promotion as the visitors finished last season's campaign second from bottom in the Relegation Group while Thun finished runners-up behind the Challenge League winners, Sion.

Grasshoppers prevailed by winning 3-2 on aggregate over the two legs to preserve their Swiss top flight status but the visitors know they will have to improve upon a poor finish to the end of last season's campaign this time around if they're to avoid a repeat of the dreaded play-offs.

Indeed, the visitors managed to win just two of their final 14 games of last term which came in the form of wins against Stade-Lausanne-Ouchy and Yverdon Sport, both of which were achieved on home soil at their Stadion Letzigrund, whilst also being handed eight defeats in the process as well.

Results away from home though were particularly poor as Grasshoppers failed to win any of their last 10 outings on the road, slipping to six defeats and also failing to score in seven of these 10 away games as well, which contributed to eight of their last 10 away games producing two goals or less.

Lugano v Grasshoppers Verdict

Lugano registered a 1-0 win away from home at Grasshoppers in their previous encounter back in mid-April and the hosts once again look the more likely to take an opening three points here at the Stadio di Cornaredo on Saturday evening.

Therefore, our main bet will be Lugano win @ 1.70

Other side bets worth considering:

Lugano win & Under 2.5 goals @ 4.75

Correct Score: Lugano 1-0 @ 8.50