Lazio welcome Juventus to Stadio Olimpico on Saturday night with the home side looking to enter the Champions League places.
The Biancocelesti could find themselves in third place if they can earn a win, but the Serie A leaders will be looking to extend their own difference on the chasing pack. Massimiliano Allegri’s side could register their tenth victory of the season in just 12 games.
It’s a game Lazio coach Stefano Pioli will not be looking forward to, with the sheer fact Lazio haven’t beaten Juventus at home in the league since 2004. They did however hold last season’s Scudetto winners to a 1-1 draw at Stadio Olimpico, one of just five games that, then coach, Antonio Conte’s team failed to win.
Pioli’s good start to the season finally took a turn, as Empoli thwarted them 2-1 to end a six game unbeaten run. Not only that, but they’re welcoming a side who won their last match 7-0.
Antonio Candreva will be the main man for Lazio and will come in with an added morale boost, having scored in the 1-1 draw with Croatia last week. It is likely that the man at the helm will only make one change to the side that suffered the defeat to Empoli, with Luis Cavanda making way at the back for Dusan Basta.
Juventus will be much more buoyant than their hosts having dispatched Parma by seven goals, maintaining their three point gap over Roma at the Serie A summit. Allegri’s side however have dropped all their points – four – away from home this season including their only loss – a 1-0 defeat to Genoa.
The Bianconeri should be able the name the exact side that ran riot over Parma, with Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente set to lead the line once more having again impressed with their goal-scoring exploits on the field.
Alvaro Morata still remains at the third choice up front and it looks likely to continue despite coming on as a substitute vs Parma and netting a brace in the final 15 minutes. There are no fresh injury concerns for Allegri to ponder over and have no suspensions to deal with.
Expected Starting XIs
Lazio: Berisha; Basta, De Vrij, Ciani, Braafheid; Parolo, Biglia, Lulic; Candreva, Djordjevic, Mauri
Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini; Padoin, Romulo, Marchisio; Pogba, Pereyra, Tevez; Llorente
