Serie A Preview: Lazio vs Juventus – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

One of the standout fixtures of Serie A Matchday 35 pits bitter rivals Lazio and Juventus against each other in a top-four six-pointer. Saturday’s encounter at Stadio Olimpico has all the makings of a ‘make or break’ affair for both teams.

Despite sitting sixth ahead of the kick-off, Lazio trail their fourth-placed visitors on goal difference alone. However, such is the nature of Serie A’s top-four race that only one point separates four sides, with Bologna and Roma firmly in the mix heading into what promises to be an enthralling season finale.

With that in mind, there’s no margin for error as Lazio meet former boss Igor Tudor in a must-win showdown. That’s an extra motive for the Biancocelesti to replicate a 1-0 win from last season’s corresponding fixture and add to a hard-earned victory at bottom-half Empoli a week ago, provided by Boulaye Dia’s first-minute strike.

Juventus could soon meet Lazio outside the pitch as they’ve reportedly registered interest in Nuno Tavares. However, they must first focus on securing Champions League football. Tudor’s charges seemed on course to solidify their position in the standings when Khephren Thuram fired them in front against Bologna last weekend.

Yet, Vincenzo Italiano’s side recovered in the second half to eke out a 1-1 draw at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. ‘Stalemate specialists,’ therefore, lived up to their tag again. Another share of the spoils would hardly please the traveling faithful, especially when factoring in Roma’s purple patch under veteran manager Claudio Ranieri.

Match Preview

Lazio

Dia’s winner helped Lazio extend their unbeaten run to six league matches (W3, D3), setting them up nicely for this season-defining clash against familiar foes. Revenge will be at the forefront of Baroni’s mind following a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat in October’s reverse fixture. Against this backdrop, Lazio have had Juventus’ number in Rome.

They have won the last three meetings between the sides at Stadio Olimpico, going back-to-back in Serie A for only the second time this century. However, the Olimpico has been a feeble fortress lately, with Lazio only winning one of their last ten home league outings (D7, L2), including five draws on the bounce.

As a result, Lazio could register six successive Serie A home stalemates for the first time since 1991. Regardless of the outcome, neutrals might be in for a treat. The Olimpico has been a venue of entertainment this season, with the Biancocelesti the only Serie A side to see every home league match in 2024/25 feature at least two goals.

Juventus

Juventus’ top-four quest has become increasingly complicated. The club’s ambitions have gradually decreased from the Scudetto hopes to merely securing a Champions League spot. A string of inconsistent performances has seen Tudor’s out-of-form side win just two of their last five league games (D2, L1).

However, a favorable schedule can still play into their hands, with Juventus facing bottom-half Udinese and Venezia in the final two rounds. But first, they must navigate this formidable challenge. Tudor’s charges have stuttered on the road against top-nine teams, going winless in their last seven such fixtures (D5, L2).

Snapping that unenviable run would see Juventus claim their first league double over Lazio since 2018/19. That’s easier said than done for the Turin heavyweights, who have alternated between drawing and losing (D2, L2) across their last four away league games while averaging just 0.5 goals per match.

Team News

Lazio lost Elseid Hysaj to suspension as the Albanian received a red card against Empoli. Baroni’s fullback options remain decent, with Nuno Tavares and Manuel Lazzari back to training. Meanwhile, Patric remains on the sidelines with a foot injury.

On the other hand, Juventus are still without long-term absentees Arkadiusz Milik, Gleison Bremer, and Juan Cabal. In addition, Andrea Cambiaso and Lloyd Kelly are in the treatment room, while Kenan Yildiz must serve a suspension after picking up a red against Monza. While Teun Koopmeiners remains unavailable, Tudor should have Dusan Vlahovic at his disposal.

Lazio vs Juventus Potential Starting Line-ups

Lazio (4-2-3-1): Mandas; Marusic, Romagnoli, Gila, Pellegrini; Rovella, Guendouzi; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos.

Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Veiga, Savona; Weah, Locatelli, Thuram, McKennie; Conceicao, Gonzalez; Kolo Muani.

Lazio vs Juventus Prediction

A moment of brilliance or chaos could settle this tightly balanced showdown as two evenly matched sides go head-to-head. Yet, we’d stick with a draw as the likeliest outcome.