Prediction: Juventus vs Lazio

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5

Best odds: 4/5

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Bookmaker: Betfair

Juventus and Lazio are scheduled to face each other at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Sunday evening, in what’s set to be the final match of the 15th round of the Serie A season, indeed the final match of the Italian top flight before the World Cup in Qatar starts, and the final match of the calendar year. It is only one of the big games of the round, which also includes Napoli facing Udinese and Atalanta playing host to Inter Milan.

Juventus

When Juventus’ exit from the Champions League became a mathematical certainty even with a game left, there was a lot of talk about what had gone wrong for the Old Lady this season, and speculation about the possibility of head coach Massimiliano Allegri losing his job. However, it seems Allegri and his team did the only right thing there was to do in those circumstances, and used the situation to focus on turning things around on the domestic scene. They’ve linked five consecutive Serie A triumphs so far, a fine achievement even if their overall run of last six matches isn’t quite as pleasant for their supporters.

It starts with a 4-0 home win over Empoli. Then came that fateful 4-3 defeat away to Benfica which meant the end of their hopes of progressing in the Champions League, followed by a 0-1 win away to Lecce. Their final Champions League match of the season was a 1-2 defeat at home against Paris Saint-Germain, and then they nailed a huge 2-0 victory at home over Inter Milan, and followed it up with a 0-1 win away to Hellas Verona. Moise Kean, who started the match in the place of injured striker Dusan Vlahovic, scored the only goal of the game after an hour, and substitute Alex Sandro picked up a red card after the 90 minutes had gone.

The successful league run has helped Juventus leap over several top-four contenders, and despite it looking highly unlikely until recently, they are now fourth in the Serie A table with 28 points. The title is still probably out of their reach, with Napoli leading the way on 38, but at least the prospect of playing Champions League football again next season seems realistic again.

Team News

Vlahovic, as well as winger Federico Chiesa, have returned to training this week but neither is expected to start on Sunday. In fact, it remains to be seen whether they’re named on the bench or left out the matchday squad. Midfielder Paul Pogba and fullback Mattia De Sciglio remain out for a while yet. Sandro is suspended.

Wojciech Szczesny was rested against Verona but now he’s set to retake the spot between the posts, ousting Mattia Perin. Captain Leonardo Bonucci will command the back line of three again, joined by Gleison Bremer and Danilo, though Daniele Rugani might be hoping for a start as well. Nicolo Faggioli will likely make way for Leandro Paredes in the middle of the park, but Manuel Locatelli and Adrien Rabiot will remain in the lineup. Filip Kostic and Juan Cuadrado are the obvious choice for the wing-back roles, with Kean deputizing for Vlahovic alongside Arkadiusz Milik upfront again.

Lazio

Lazio are having a fantastic Serie A season and if there wasn’t for the incredible form of Napoli, they would’ve been thoroughly in the race for the Scudetto. As it is, their hopes aren’t quite over, but they’re currently second with 30 points, the same amount as reigning champions AC Milan in third. It seems former Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri hasn’t lost his touch, despite not working for a year after leaving the Bianconeri in 2020.

On the other hand, Lazio’s Europa League campaign didn’t quite go as planned, and though all four teams in their group finished with eight points, they were third on goal-difference behind Feyenoord and Midtjylland, with only Sturm Graz left below.

Lazio’s last-six run began with a huge 0-2 win away to Atalanta and what could’ve been an important one over Midtjylland, 2-1 at home, but these triumphs were followed by disappointing defeats 1-3 at home to Salernitana and 1-0 away to Feyenoord. Still, they bounced back with a 0-1 win in the Derby of Rome over AS Roma, and a 1-0 one at home over Monza.

Team News

First and foremost, Sarri will be hoping to have his top scorer, Ciro Immobile, back from injury, as well as Mattia Zaccagni to boost the options upfront further. Right-back Manuel Lazzari picked up a calf injury against Monza, which should give Adam Marusic a place in the starting XI. Spanish centre-back Patric remains out with a knee problem.

Ivan Provedel is the regular starter between the posts. Alessio Romagnoli should pair up with Nicolo Casale in the heart of defence, with Marusic and Elseid Hysaj on the defensive flanks. Danilo Cataldi is expected to return to the lineup ahead of Marcos Antonio to anchor the midfield, with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Matias Vecino by his side. If deemed fit, Immobile should be supported by Pedro and Felipe Anderson, though as has been said, Zaccagni could be an option as well again along with Matteo Cancellieri.

Conclusion

Barring an unexpected turn of events, such as an early sending off or a penalty, this should be a tough match with both teams very keen not to lose. A match of few chances that could go either way, and with probably no more than two goals in it.

Verdict: Total goals under 2.5

Best odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Betfair

Source of the article

Author: XenBet