Serie A Preview: Juventus vs Lazio – Team News, Lineups & Prediction | OneFootball

Sunday’s Serie A action closes out at the Allianz Stadium with a mouth-watering showdown between Juventus and Lazio. There’s a slim margin for error, as both teams desperately need points to bolster their European hopes. 

Juventus ran riot in their last two Serie A outings, beating Napoli and Parma via three-goal margins to break into the top four. However, a narrow two-point lead over fifth-placed Roma puts the Bianconeri in a must-win situation if they’re to cling on to the final UEFA Champions League qualifying spot.

Despite their impressive league form, Juventus failed to live up to the billing in midweek Coppa Italia action, slipping to a dreadful 3-0 defeat at Atalanta. Manager Luciano Spalletti will expect a firm response from his side here, as the record-time Italian champions seek revenge for a 1-0 defeat in October’s reverse fixture.

That victory gives Lazio the chance to complete their first league double over Juventus since the 1942/43 season. The visitors should take the field in high spirits after a 100th-minute penalty, converted by Danilo Cataldi, inspired them to a nerve-shredding 3-2 home win over Genoa last time out.

Although that result halted Lazio’s two-game winless league run (D1, L1), they’re still trailing sixth-placed Como by a whopping nine points. As such, their European ambitions are at stake, as could be Maurizio Sarri’s future at the Stadio Olimpico.

Match Preview

Juventus

Spalletti’s side dismantled reigning champions Napoli 3-0 in their last league outing in Turin, preserving their unbeaten home record in Serie A this season (W7, D4). Except for a shocking 1-1 draw against Lecce at the start of the calendar year, Juventus have won four of their last five league games at this stadium.

Lazio’s upcoming visit is unlikely to threaten Juventus’ dominance on home turf, given that they’ve won their last five meetings in Turin. However, Thursday’s mauling in Bergamo may have derailed a feel-good factor at the Allianz Stadium, though it marked only Spalletti’s third defeat in 21 matches in charge of the club.

Adding to this sentiment, only table-topping Inter (33) have netted more home goals than Juventus’ 23 this term. Furthermore, they’re one of only two Serie A sides to have scored at least ten first-half goals on home turf, highlighting the potential for a high-flying start from the top-four-bidding hosts.

Lazio

Lazio defied their long-standing scoring woes against Genoa last weekend, scoring multiple goals in one competitive game for the first time since the beginning of October. However, Sarri’s men remain the lowest-scoring side in the upper half of the table (24), averaging just over one goal per game.

Topically, they’ve failed to get on the scoresheet in a league-high seven Serie A away matches this season. Leaving the home comforts of their Stadio Olimpico could be a blessing in disguise for the Biancocelesti, as they’ve avoided defeat on their last four Serie A road trips (W2, D3).

Defensive solidity saw Lazio keep a clean sheet in three of those four matches, a feat they have not achieved in Turin since November 2012. Moreover, they had conceded at least two goals in six consecutive away league clashes against Juventus before a narrow 1-0 defeat in this corresponding fixture last term.

Team News

Juventus’ long-term injury crisis seems to have finally subsided, with Arkadiusz Milik and Dusan Vlahovic remaining the only two high-profile absentees. As such, Jonathan David is likely to lead the line once again, with Lois Openda expected to start on the bench. Despite suffering minor injury problems on Thursday, Lloyd Kelly and Francisco Conceicao will be at Spalletti’s disposal.

On the other hand, Lazio will visit Turin without several first-team stalwarts, including captain Mattia Zaccagni and starting wingback Manuel Lazzari. Samuel Gigot is also in the pits, while Luca Pellegrini must serve a yellow-card suspension. Winter signings Kenneth Taylor and Daniel Maldini are in line for their maiden league starts for the club.

Juventus vs Lazio Potential Starting Lineups

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; McKennie, Miretti, Yildiz; David.

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Basic, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro.

Juventus vs Lazio Prediction

With the last four Serie A meetings between Juventus and Lazio producing just five goals, it’s only reasonable to expect a low-scoring contest. The hosts have thrived in such an environment, and we back them to extend their winning run in the league with a narrow victory.