Serie A: Two Troubled Teams Meet in Turin

Juventus vs Lazio

Juventus vs Lazio is the blockbuster fixture to open the Serie A weekend, and both clubs are in need of a lift.

The Old Lady is currently third in the table on seven points from her first three league games, tracking Inter and AC Milan who have won their first three. But with a big star recently failing a drug test, Juventus are, once again, making the wrong type of news.

Meanwhile, Lazio are still recovering from the loss of an influential player and have won just one game so far after starting with back to back losses.

Juventus won 2-0 at Empoli last time out, while Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio picked up a first win of the season, stunning champions Napoli 2-1 at the Diego Maradona Stadium.

So, with both teams entering the international break with a victory, we have a fascinating scrap for three more points on the way. 

Talking Points

Pogba out and Chiesa in

The pre-match Serie A 2023 news is a combination of bad and good for the hosts as off-field problems continue to overshadow progress on the pitch.

Financial irregularities have dogged the Turin giants in recent years, and they have watched the Milan clubs and Napoli pick up the last three Scudettos. And now, one of their highest-paid stars has failed a doping test.

£130,000-a-week midfielder Paul Pogba has been provisionally suspended, and he could be banned for up to four years after testing positive for testosterone. At 30 years of age, that might signal the end for the controversial star, who bombed in six seasons with Manchester United before returning to Juventus in 2022.

He only appeared in 10 games for Juventus last year and now Pogba may have played his last because he tested positive after the Old Lady’s Serie A victory over Udinese in August, a game in which he did not play.

There is better news for Juventus and, as usual, it concerns playing matters as star striker Federico Chiesa looks set to be fit to face Lazio after successfully returning to training following his early return from the Italy team camp.

Rumours in Turin suggested the Azzurri star may be suffering a serious injury, but concerns have been allayed and Chiesa, who has two goals already for Juventus, looks ready to go.

There is good news too for centre-back Federico Gatti, who is back in training too after suffered a minor niggle before the international break.            

In a wide open title race Juventus are fourth favourites at odds of 5.00 to win the Scudetto and the SBOTOP stats team have their work cut out tracking the top four with Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Napoli at 2.70, 3.70, and 4.40.

The club, as ever, is in some state of chaos, but if Max Allegri can hold it together on the training field, then who knows?    

Zaccagni can star for Lazio

At this stage last season, Maurizio Sarri’s team were second in the league table, and they eventually finished the campaign as runners up to Scudetto winners Napoli. But Lazio had a tough transfer window in summer, losing midfield star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and now they need to regroup and go again.

One Lazio player who is enjoying his football is 28-year-old winger Mattia Zaccagni, who recently put in a fine performance for Italy against Ukraine, having been selected in Luciano Spalletti’s first team.

The Azzurri picked up a crucial 2-1 win to ignite their Euro 2024 campaign as Zaccagni played on the left of a front three, and the Lazio man gave Italy the perfect start when he took advantage of a Ukraine slip to tee up Davide Fratessi’s first of two goals.

With 10 goals from 37 games last season, Zaccagni is a real threat for Lazio, and he can help to lift the early season malaise.       

They upset all the odds in their clash with Napoli as Luis Alberto and Daichi Kamada scored a goal each and, spearheaded by the legendary Ciro Immobile, Lazio still present a serious threat.     

History

Juventus have won 39 of the 72 matches played against the Romans over the last three decades, while Lazio have won 18 and drawn 15.  

I Bianconeri’s recent form is better too with four wins and two draws from the last six. Lazio have won two and lost four, and Juve have not lost this home fixture in six seasons.   

Betting Tip

The Serie A 2023 betting odds are backing a Bianconeri win, and I’m with them by virtue of home advantage, better early season momentum, and the fitness news regarding Chiesa.

Lazio are at odds of 3.44 and the draw is 3.20, and the visitors will hope to build on an impressive performance against Napoli.

I think this will be a tight game with Under 2.25 goals at odds of 1.97 an alternative idea.

 

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