Verdict: Juventus to Win to Nil
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Serie A runaway leaders Juventus travel to Lazio on Sunday night with both teams struggling with selection worries ahead of this highlight match of the Italian top flight’s weekend.
Lazio
Biancocelesti could be dealt a major blow in their top four pursuit if they lose their second match on the trot this weekend. And with reigning champions Juventus coming to town, such a prospect could easily become a reality.
Last week’s 2-1 defeat to Napoli is making things crystal clear for Lazio. The hosts need to beat Juventus on Sunday but that will be easier said than done knowing that Lazio have yet to beat the Old Lady at home since 2013. Le Aquile have lost six of last seven matches on home ground since that time, failing to score in all six. The current season has had its ups and downs for Lazio who have made it their absolute top priority to land the Champions League spot this season, after missing out on it by an inch last year. They are currently sitting in sixth place in the standings, one point behind AS Roma in fifth and two away from fourth-placed AC Milan. As difficult as it may be, beating Juventus – or at least getting a positive result from the forthcoming fixture – could be a major morale boost for the hosts.
Team News
Lazio will be without injured Luiz Felipe, whereas Francesco Acerbi and Adam Marusic are both suspended for the occasion.
Wallace is expected to be slotted into the central defensive position while Joaquin Correa is expected to start as well.
Juventus
With a nine-point cushion ahead of their closest rivals Napoli, Juventus appear to be cruising in the Serie A this season. Still unbeaten after 18 rounds of action, Bianconeri will be determined to extend the record even further as they prepare to travel to Rome this Sunday.
With a day earlier, Juventus could further extend their lead at the top of the standings and take an even firmer grip on the title chase after their game against Lazio. Despite certain selection problems, they have every reason to feel positive ahead of the match, knowing they only lost two matches at the Olimpico stadium since 2005. Having recorded five successive away victories at Lazio without conceding is another major point speaking in Bianconeri’s favour, however. All eyes will once again be on Cristiano Ronaldo who was involved in some off-pitch drama earlier this week after the Portuguese was forced to pay a hefty fee for tax fraud. The Portuguese avoided jail time after agreeing to pay around €19 million but it should not impact his game on Sunday. Former Real Madrid forward scored 14 goals and created further 5 this season and is topping the goalscoring charts together with former Juventus man Fabio Quagliarella.
Team News
Juan Cuadrado, Mario Mandzukic, Andrea Barzagli, Mehdi Benatia, Joao Cancelo, Sami Khedira and Miralem Pjanic are all confirmed absentees for the forthcoming fixture.
Emre Can is expected to be given a leading role in the midfield due to the lack of other options.
Key Factors to Consider
Lazio last beat Juventus at home in 2013
Juventus won last five games against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico
The Old Lady did not concede a single goal in last 5 trips to Rome
Cristiano Ronaldo is Serie A’s joint top scored with Fabio Quagliarella (14 goals each)
Juventus have yet to lose a single Serie A game this season
Conclusion
History and numbers don’t lie and they claim Juventus should be consider firm favourites to secure a victory at Lazio. Bianconeri have won all of their last five trips to Stadio Olimpico and are widely expected to extend the positive stretch to six in a row.
Verdict: Juventus to Win to Nil
Best Odds:
Bookmakers:
