Serie A: Sarri’s Lazio Look to Stop Juventus’ Top Four Surge

Lazio vs Juventus

Lazio are the in-form team in Serie A at the moment. They are unbeaten in their last six games – with wins over Napoli and rivals Roma – as they’ve moved four points clear in second place.

Maurizio Sarri’s men will now face another tough test as they host his old club, Juventus, at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Old Lady has been right up there with Lazio in terms of form in recent weeks as they’ve revived their hopes of reaching the top four and Champions League football.

But beating the Biancocelesti will be a big ask, especially since Lazio have now gone several hours without conceding a goal.

Talking Points

Lazio’s dominant defence powering unbeaten run

Lazio’s Serie A 2023 odds of finishing in second are looking quite good. They are now four points clear thanks to a six-game unbeaten run, with five wins and one draw.

Despite lacking any truly top-class defenders in their squad, Maurizio Sarri has constructed a magnificent defence that has kept a clean sheet in each of those six games, which is a sensational streak.

Lazio were without regular starting full-back Adam Marusic after he was sent off late in the Rome derby against Roma, but Manuel Lazzari filled in capably.

Lazio’s outstanding defence has more than made up for the fact that their attack is not all that prolific. To wit, they have scored just seven goals during their current six-game unbeaten run.

Reigning Capocannoniere Ciro Immobile has scored just 9 goals in 21 appearances amid injury setbacks, although he did make his return from a month out in their 2-0 win against Monza.

Even though he has not scored in Serie A since late January, Felipe Anderson has done a decent job as the false nine in Immobile’s absence. Meanwhile, they have gotten timely goals from the likes of Luis Alberto, Matias Veccino, and Mattia Zaccagni to claim crucial wins.

Juventus still in the hunt for fourth

Even with their 15-point deduction, Juventus are still right there in the race for the top four. They are currently in seventh spot, six points behind fourth-placed Inter.

The Bianconeri have won three in a row and seven of their last eight Serie A games to claw their way back to Champions League contention. They picked up a 1-0  victory against Verona last time out in the league thanks to a Moise Kean goal.

They are also coming off a fiery 1-1 draw against Inter in their Coppa Italia semi-final first leg in midweek.

Like Lazio, Juve have continued to rack up the wins despite lacking goals from their main man in attack. Star striker Dusan Vlahovic, who scored three goals for Serbia during the international break, is still searching for his first Serie A goals since mid-February.

Meanwhile, Federico Chiesa has still been unable to provide too many Serie A 2023 highlights since returning from a serious knee injury. The Italian international has not started a Serie A match since before Valentine’s Day and remains without a goal in 11 Serie A appearances.

But the combination of strong defending – they have conceded just five goals and kept five clean sheets over their last eight games – and timely goals from the likes of Kean, Angel di Maria, Filip Kostic and Adrien Rabiot has led to their recent success.

History

Juventus have had Lazio’s number in Serie A over the years. The Bianconeri have a massive 21-2 advantage over the Biancocelesti in wins over their last 29 matches, with six draws.

Juve are currently on a six-match unbeaten run against Lazio in the league. They won their first meeting of the season 3-0 thanks to a brace by Moise Kean. And they also won their Coppa Italia tie in February 1-0 thanks to a goal by defender Bremer.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have Lazio installed as very slight 2.60 favourites to get the home win. Juventus are priced at 2.77, while a draw is not far behind at 2.82.

Those tight odds indicate just how competitive this matchup figures to be, as both clubs are in-form and possess some impressive defences. That is why I foresee a draw as the dominant defences should win out over the middling attacks.

 

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