After a disastrous week which saw manager Maurizio Sarri leave the club and their all-time top-scorer Ciro Immobile being abused by fans in the street, Lazio celebrated an important 3-2 victory over Frosinone before the international break which kept them in the European qualification race. Supporters will be hoping that more is to come from the Lazio camp as this match will see Igor Tudor, a former Juventus defender, start his managerial reign.
His first task will be to turn around his side’s dismal recent home form, as a 2-1 defeat against Udinese in their last match at Stadio Olimpico saw the hosts record three successive losses at this venue for the first time since 2007. With six defeats across their last nine home league H2Hs to contend with, the Biancocelesti remain on the verge of losing four straight home top-flight outings for the first time since 1961 if they can’t return to form in this outing.
Visiting Juventus saw their troubles continue last time out as they failed to score for the third time across their last seven league matches as they were held 0-0 by Genoa. Massimiliano Allegri’s side have now picked up just seven points across their last seven Serie A matches as a result of their goalscoring woes, something which is likely to be extended here as top-scorer Dušan Vlahović received a red card in that latest outing and will miss this match.
Winless in three away league matches (D1, L2), Juventus have seen their strong run of six wins across seven roadtrips prior (D1) come apart of late. They have at least a tendency to start strong on the road which could aid them here, as the Bianconeri have conceded first in only five of their 14 away league matches, going on to save four points on such occasions (W1, D1, L3).
Players to watch: Taty Castellanos scored twice after the break last time out, with three of his four goals for Lazio this campaign arriving in the second half. Adrien Rabiot has scored and assisted in the previous two H2Hs, with four of his last six goals for Juventus arriving before half time.
Hot stat: Ten of Lazio’s 14 home league matches this season have been level at half-time (HT: W2, L2).
