Lazio host Serie A’s second-place team Juventus on Saturday night at the Stadio Olimpico in a massive top three showdown.
The Biancocelesti are a mere seven points behind Inter Milan and could reel in the league leaders with a victory over Juventus. The Bianconeri have plenty of pressure on themselves this weekend to reel in Inter Milan as well.
First-place Inter Milan play Roma and could extend their lead with a win on Friday night. Juventus will need to respond 24 hours later if that happens. An Inter Milan loss or draw and Juventus win would send Maurizio Sarri’s team back to the top of Serie A.
Juventus are yet to lose this season in all competitions. They have been a juggernaut, however, three league draws have them in second place and one point off of the Nerazzurri.
Lazio are rolling in the league under manager Simone Inzaghi. The Biancocelesti are unbeaten in 10 straight league games with eight of those ending in wins. Lazio striker Ciro Immobile has thrived this season scoring 17 goals in 14 matches. Immobile has scored 52% of Lazio’s goals.
Surprisingly, Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has only scored six goals this term. That total merely points Ronaldo into a tie with several other players for ninth in goalscoring in Serie A.
Since arriving on the peninsula, Ronaldo’s goalscoring numbers have dropped compared to those in La Liga. It is more proof that the defences that Ronaldo (and Lionel Messi) faced in La Liga were not very strong.
Lazio last defeated Juventus in October 2017 in Serie A. That fixture was played in Turin as Lazio came away with a 2-1 come from behind victory. The last time Lazio won against the Bianconeri at the Stadio Olimpico was much longer ago. The 2012-13 Coppa Italia saw Lazio defeat Juventus at home 2-1.
Ronaldo is always a dangerman for Juventus. He is coming off of a goalscoring performance last time out against Sassuolo in the league. His penalty enabled Juventus to claim a 2-2 draw.
Sarri will need to adjust his team due to injuries. Aaron Ramsey, Diego Costa, Giorgio Chiellini and Sami Khedira are all ruled out with injuries. Lazio’s Jordan Lukaku and Patric are both listed as questionable. If they cannot go, Inzaghi’s defensive options will be limited.
Although Juventus have been drawing matches and suffering injuries, they will still get the win over Lazio away. It could allow them to move back into first place depending on Inter Milan’s result against Roma.
The two free-scoring teams should both score and combine for over 2.5 goals as Juventus take the spoils in the capital.
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