MX23RW : Monday, December 16 04:22:28| >> :120:22413:22413:
[monks data]
Attendance: 65,000
Lazio logo
Serie A | Gameweek 15
Dec 7, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
Juventus logo

3-1

Felipe (45'), Milinkovic-Savic (74'), Caicedo (95')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Ronaldo (25')

Preview: Lazio vs. Juventus – prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Serie A clash between Lazio and Juventus, including team news and predicted lineups.

Juventus will be looking to return to winning ways on Saturday evening when they visit an in-form Lazio in Italy's top flight.

The reigning champions relinquished first spot in Serie A to Inter Milan last weekend following a 2-2 draw with Sassuolo, while Lazio will enter this match in third spot having won their last six in the league.


Match preview

Thomas Strakosha in action for Lazio during a Serie A match against Inter Milan in March 2019© Reuters

Simone Inzaghi's side will enter this weekend's contest in serious form, winning each of their last six in the league to rise into third spot in the table.

Lazio are actually unbeaten in Italy's top flight since losing 1-0 to Inter at the end of September; they have been in outstanding form over the last two months, recording some standout wins in the league.

Indeed, the Eagles have put four goals past Torino and Lecce over the last few weeks, while they have won their last two on the road to AC Milan and Sassuolo. A record of nine wins, three draws and two losses has left them in third and six points off Juve heading into this weekend's contest.

Lazio, who face a battle to make the knockout round of the Europa League ahead of their final game against Rennes next week, have not actually finished higher than fifth in Serie A since posting third back in 2014-15.

Inzaghi's team appear to have the credentials to challenge for a top-four finish this term, though, and a win over the reigning champions on Saturday night would add more strength to that argument.

Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Juventus on October 1, 2019© Reuters

Juve could be forgiven for thinking that a record of 36 points from 14 matches would be enough to leave them top of the table at this stage of the campaign. After all, they are yet to lose in the league this season, winning 11 times and drawing the other three.

Inter have been in such outstanding form under Antonio Conte, though, and the Milan giants currently lead the division with 37 points. Juve gave up first spot after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by 14th-placed Sassuolo last weekend.

Sassuolo actually led 2-1 entering the final 25 minutes of the clash at the Allianz Stadium, but a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty ensured that Maurizio Sarri's side would at least pick up a point for their efforts.

Inter will have the chance to go four points clear on Friday night when they welcome Roma, and a win in that fixture would place serious pressure on Juve ahead of a trip to the form side in the division.

The Old Lady can fully focus on league matters this weekend, though, as they have already booked their spot in the last-16 stage of the Champions League ahead of their final group match against Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday night.

Lazio form: WWWWWW

Juventus form: DWWWWD


Team News

Giorgio Chiellini celebrates scoring for Juventus on August 24, 2019© Reuters

Lazio will again be without Adam Marusic, Valon Berisha and Jordan Lukaku through injury, while Patric remains a doubt due to a calf problem.

Inzaghi has no fresh concerns from the side that started the 3-0 win over Udinese last weekend, though, and the same XI could feature.

Ciro Immobile made it 19 goals in 17 appearances this season with a double last weekend, and the 29-year-old has incredibly only failed to score in two Serie A appearances for Lazio this season.

Former Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva will also feature in the middle of the park.

Juve remain without the services of Giorgio Chiellini, Sami Khedira and Douglas Costa ahead of this weekend's contest, while Adrien Rabiot is also a doubt as the midfielder battles an adductor issue.

It seems likely that Sarri will shuffle his pack from the clash with Sassuolo, with Wojciech Szczesny and Blaise Matuidi both in line for returns.

Aaron Ramsey had potentially been in line to replace Federico Bernardeschi in the attacking midfield spot, but the Wales international has emerged as a huge doubt due to a muscular problem. Paulo Dybala, though, could come into the attack as a replacement for Gonzalo Higuain.

Ronaldo will again keep his spot, though, as the Portugal international appears to have overcome a recent knee issue during an important stage of the campaign.

Lazio possible starting lineup: Strakosha; Radu, Acerbi, Felipe; Lulic, Alberto, Lucas, Milinkovic-Savic, Lazzari; Immobile, Correa

Juventus possible starting lineup: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, Sandro; Matuidi, Pjanic, Bentancur; Bernardeschi; Dybala, Ronaldo


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Lazio 1-1 Juventus

It would not be a surprise to see Juve return to winning ways this weekend, but it is very difficult to back against Lazio when considering their stunning form. We fancy a low-scoring draw in Rome, which both managers would probably take if it were offered ahead of kickoff.



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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atalanta BCAtalanta16121339172237
2Napoli16112324111335
3Inter Milan1494134151931
4Fiorentina1594228111731
5Lazio15101430171331
6Juventus16610026121428
7Bologna156722118325
8AC Milan156542416823
9Udinese166281925-620
10Empoli164751416-219
11Torino165471720-319
12Roma164481823-516
13Genoa163761324-1116
14Lecce164481027-1716
15Parma163672328-515
16Como163671828-1015
17Hellas VeronaHellas Verona1650112139-1815
18CagliariCagliari163581526-1114
19Monza161781421-710
20VeneziaVenezia1624101529-1410


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