By David Salazar, d.salazar@latinospost.com (staff@latinospost.com) | First Posted: Oct 03, 2013 12:39 AM EDT

Lazio and Trabzonspor will look to take over first place in Group J of the Europa League when they face off on Thursday.

Both sides opened their respective tournament with victories and the winner of this match could have a healthy advantage atop the group. Fiorentina defeated Legia Warsaw 1-0 at home in its opener thanks to a goal from Hernanes. Meanwhile, the Turkish side Trabzonspor defeated Apollon Limassol 2-1 on the road; Florent Malouda and Yusuf Erdogan provided the goals for Trabzonspor.  

The winner of this game could wind up with a comfortable lead atop the group if Apollon Limassol and Legia Warsaw manage a draw in their encounter.

Lazio currently sits in sixth place in the Italian Serie A thanks to a record of three wins, one draw and two losses in six matches. The team opened its season with a 2-1 win over Udinese but was humbled 4-1 by Juventus in the follow-up. A 3-0 win over Chievo Verona got things back in order but AS Roma destroyed them 2-0 in the fourth match of the year. A 3-1 win over Catania followed, but Sassuolo managed to impede Lazio from winning two in a row in a 2-2 draw.

Trabzonspor sits in fourth place in the Turkish League with four wins and two losses.

After this match, Trabzonspor will take on Legia Warsaw in two straight games; Lazio will take on Legia Warsaw in a double header of its own.

Prediction: Lazio wins 1-0.

Start Time: 1 p.m. EST

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