Lazio and Juventus square off in a crucial fixture in terms of the battle for a top four finish in Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening.
Just two places and goal difference currently separate the pair in what is a fiercely competitive and a congested battle for Champions League qualification.
Marco Baroni’s men returned to winning ways last weekend by earning a narrow 1-0 win away at Empoli.
That victory extended the Eagles’ unbeaten run in Serie A to six matches, winning three and drawing the other three.
As for Juventus, they currently occupy fourth place in the table following last week’s 1-1 draw away at fellow top four hopefuls Bologna, in a game that brought up a couple of bets for our man Adam.
Given how tight the race for a top four finish is becoming, Igor Tudor’s team can ill-afford to drop more points when they head to the capital this weekend.
How the bookies view it: Eagles to emerge victorious
Despite drawing each of their last three home matches in Serie A, Lazio come into this crunch clash as 6/4 favourites with Boylesports.
Juventus have been priced up as 15/8 outsiders on Boylesports, while a share of the Stadio Olimpico spoils can be backed at 21/10 with the same bookmaker.
Head to head: Home comforts could be key
The recent history of this fixture will tell you that the home team tends to come out on top, with Lazio landing top honours from each of their last three encounters with Juventus in the Eternal City.
Likewise, Juventus have reigned supreme in each of their last three home games with Lazio, including this season’s reverse fixture which ended 1-0.
Players to watch: Midfield duo in battle mode
Nicolo Rovella is certainly someone to keep an eye out for once player card markets have been priced up by the bookmakers. The touch-tackling Lazio midfielder has been booked no fewer than 13 times across his 30 appearances in all competitions this season.
Manuel Locatelli is averaging 1.55 fouls per game in Serie A this season, making him worthy of support to overstep the mark twice or more in a game of this magnitude at even-money (1/1) on Bet 365.
Predicted line-ups
Lazio will be without defender Elseid Hysa following his dismissal during the aforementioned 1-0 win at Empoli last weekend.
A lengthy injury list means that Juventus boss Tudor may have to stick with the same set of players that were involved in last week’s 1-1 draw at Bologna.
Lazio: Mandas; Marusic, Romagnoli, Gila, Pellegrini; Rovella, Guendouzi; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Veiga, Savona; Weah, Locatelli, Thuram, McKennie; Conceicao, Gonzalez; Kolo Muani
Anything else catch the eye?
Backing both teams to score certainly offers statistical value at 4/5 with Boylesports.
This bet would have proven profitable in 22 of Lazio‘s 35 Serie A matches this season so far, including 14 of their 17 Stadio Olimpico assignments.
Given that three of Lazio’s last four games have ended 1-1, I'm also going to have a small play in the correct score market, with a repeat looking like a nice scoreline to cheer on at 5/1 with Boylesports.
This Serie A match between Lazio and Juventus will be played on and kick off at 17:00. Check below for our tipsters best Lazio vs Juventus prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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