Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 11/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
In what is a heavyweight Serie A showdown on Saturday evening, Lazio will welcome Juventus to the Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio
Starting with the hosts, while Lazio might have suffered major Europa League heartbreak last month as they watched their European adventure come to an end at the hands of Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt, Marco Baroni’s side haven’t shown any signs of a hangover. Last seen putting in a gritty display as they clinched a 1-0 victory away at Empoli, the Eagles have their sights set on booking a lucrative Champions League return. Getting this weekend’s fixtures underway with just their goal difference keeping them outside the top-four, Lazio will know the importance of laying down a heavyweight marker here. However, on what has been a worrying rut, Baroni’s side have failed to find any real fluidity on home soil. In fact, the Eagles have remarkably claimed just a single win from any of their last 10 straight Serie A matchups at the Stadio Olimpico – a run that stems all the way back to November 24th.
Lazio Team News
Shown a late red card away at Empoli last weekend, Albanian international Elseid Hysaj will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, suffering yet another injury setback last month, Lazio are once again expected to be without Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares on Saturday evening.
Bagging the winner against Empoli and now notching three goals in his previous four appearances across all competitions, former Reims striker Boulaye Dia will play a leading role. Juventus loanee Luca Pellegrini will feature against his parent club this weekend and start at left-back.
Juventus
As for the visitors, while Igor Tudor might have only arrived at Juventus back in March, the Old Lady have struggled to find any real fluidity under the ex-Lazio boss. With just their goal difference keeping them in the Champions League spots, the Italian giants have won just a trio of their previous eight Serie A appearances. Likewise, Saturday’s guests have not claimed consecutive victories across all competitions since the middle of February. Including their Champions League exit at the hands of Dutch outfit PSV back in February, Juventus have shown some extended issues outside of Turin. In fact, Tudor’s men have won just a pair of their 11 away fixtures so far this calendar year. It should also be noted, they have lost their last three straight trips to the Stadio Olimpico by an aggregate score of 5-2.
Juventus Team News
Shown a straight red card against Monza on April 27th, Juventus will once again be unable to call upon Turkish starlet Kenan Yildiz this weekend. All still dealing with respective injury issues, Tudor’s side will also travel to Rome on Saturday evening without the likes of Arkadiusz Milik, Lloyd Kelly and Brazilian defender Bremer.
However, in what could prove to be a timely boost, Serbian marksman Dusan Vlahovic could return this weekend. Completing a January loanee switch from French giants PSG and notching six Serie A strikes, Randal Kolo Muani will spearhead Juventus’ charge here.
Lazio vs Juventus Key Factors to Consider
- When Lazio and Juventus met for their reverse Serie A showdown on October 19th, the Old Lady collected a 1-0 victory in Turin.
- However, Juventus have lost all of their last three straight trips to the Stadio Olimpico by an aggregate score of 5-2.
- Lazio have remarkably claimed just a single win from any of their last 10 straight Serie A matchups at the Stadio Olimpico – a run that stems all the way back to November 24th.
- Juventus have won just a pair of their 11 appearances outside of Turin so far this calendar year.
- Three of the last four meetings between Lazio and Juventus have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Two Italian giants who open this weekend’s fixtures only operated by their goal difference, we look set for a season-defining showdown from the Stadio Olimpico. With a lucrative Champions League ticket hanging in the balance, both Lazio and Juventus have continued to show their own glaring inconsistencies. It should be noted, with the Eagles seeing all of their last five consecutive Serie A home fixtures finish in a stalemate, we are expecting the points to be shared in Rome.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 11/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
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