Juventus will aim to rebound from a disappointing midweek cup defeat when they host Lazio in a Serie A clash on Sunday evening. Both teams approach this match with contrasting fortunes, with Juventus looking to maintain their positive momentum in the league.
Match Preview: Juventus vs Lazio
Under the management of Luciano Spalletti, Juventus has rejuvenated their performance, winning seven of their last nine Serie A matches. They have scored 21 goals during this stretch, trailing only Inter Milan in terms of victories. This success has propelled them into the top four of the league and into the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League.
However, Juventus recently faced a setback, suffering a heavy 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals. This loss overshadowed a previous impressive display where they netted four goals against Parma, with Bremer scoring twice. As they prepare for the upcoming Derby d’Italia against Inter and a Champions League playoff against Galatasaray, Juventus will look to secure a vital win at home. They hold an unbeaten record at the Allianz Stadium and have only conceded eight league goals at home.
Recent Encounters
- Juventus has won their last three home matches against Lazio.
- Lazio won the reverse fixture 1-0 in October.
- This match offers Lazio the chance for their first league double over Juventus since 1943.
Lazio’s Current Situation
Lazio, led by former Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri, is struggling despite a recent dramatic 3-2 win over Genoa, which featured a penalty from Danilo Cataldi in the 100th minute. Currently placed eighth in the league, Lazio has lost several key players, affecting their squad depth. They are nine points behind sixth-placed Como and are at risk of missing out on European competition again.
They also have the weakest away record in Serie A, scoring only six goals in 11 matches. This season marks their lowest away scoring record since 1990.
Team News
Juventus’ lineup will see the return of goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and key midfielder Kenan Yildiz after their absence in the cup match. Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are still out injured, leaving Jonathan David to spearhead the attack alongside Lois Openda. Bremer, who has had a productive season with five goal involvements already, will again be a key player, particularly for set pieces.
Lazio’s lineup will miss club captain Mattia Zaccagni, along with Samuel Gigot and Manuel Lazzari due to injuries. Left-back Luca Pellegrini will also be sidelined due to suspension. In a noteworthy milestone, Pedro is expected to make his 150th Serie A appearance for Lazio, having played all matches for the club after turning 33.
Possible Starting Lineups
Juventus
- Goalkeeper: Di Gregorio
- Defenders: Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso
- Midfielders: Locatelli, Thuram
- Forwards: McKennie, Miretti, Yildiz, David
Lazio
- Goalkeeper: Provedel
- Defenders: Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares
- Midfielders: Basic, Cataldi, Taylor
- Forwards: Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro
Prediction
Expect Juventus to respond positively after their recent setback, aiming for a 2-0 victory over Lazio. The visitors, with a patched-up squad, will find it challenging against a well-performing Juventus side.
