Juventus’s domestic campaign this season does not turn out as their fans expected. Their ten years domination is about to end now. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co are still sitting on the third with seven points behind the leader, Inter Milan. This weekend, they will be taking on one tricky contender, Lazio, which often stumble them. Ciro Immobile and Co are on the seventh in the standings.
The teams’ previous matches
Juventus eased past Spezia 3-0 in the midweek. Alvaro Morata, Federico Chiesa and Cristiano Ronaldo bagged the winning goals. It was their 14th win of the season.
Lazio, on the other hand, had to lose against Bologna on the road last weekend. The host thumped Simone Inzaghi’s men 2-0 through Ibrahima Mbaye’s close range strike taking advantage from the rebound and Nicola Sansone’s volley.
Possible tactic
Andrea Pirlo seems to be more comfortable with 4-4-2 formation with Cristiano Ronaldo and Dejan Kulusevski as the frontman, while Weston McKennie and Federico Chiesa are operating outwide. Several names are unfortunately ruled out for this fixture. They are Paulo Dybala, Juan Cuadrado, Arthur Melo, Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi has always been in favour of 3-5-2. Ciro Immobile and the Argentine Joaquin Correa are the main option upfront. In the midfield, Luis Alberto, Sergej Milenkovic-Savic and Gonzalo Escalante are operating in the middle while Adam Marusic and M Fares are occupying the wing back roles. Only three names are on the injury table, Stefanu Radu, Manuel Lazzari and Luiz Felipe.
Players to watch
Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly the key man at the front. He has netted twenty goals and provided three assists in Serie A so far. Some other notable men to watch are two wingers, Federico Chiesa with six goals and four assists and the American youngster with four goals and two assists.
In Lazio, Ciro Immobile is still the main man up front with 14 goals and three assists in Serie A this season. Another vital figure in the squad is the Serbian international Sergej Milenkovic-Savic who has scored five goals and made seven assists in Serie A.
Juventus vs Lazio Prediction
Andrea Pirlo’s men are expected not to slip again and lose important points. It is something which often happens this season, especially against the high profile or dark horse teams. A defeat against Napoli and Inter plus Fiorentina and an unnecessary draw against Verona last weekend proves how inconsistent Juventus this season. However, Lazio has not been in their best form lately. A two consecutive defeat from Bayern and Bologna could indicate Biancoceleste’s easily anticipated tactics. Bianconeri needs to take advantage of this for getting back on a title race.
Betting odds
Neither side is the favourite in this expectedly tight affair. The odds to share spoils are at 37/13. Lazio’s win market is at 7/2 whereas the home side is priced to win at the value of 7/8.
