Lazio take on Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico in Matchday 13 of the 2021/22 Serie A.
Lazio
Lazio have a record of 6W-3D-3L (21 points) and sit in 5th place in Serie A.
In their recent league match against Salernitana, they cruised to a 3-0 victory. The Biancocelesti controlled the tempo and pace of the match as Ciro Immobile, Pedro and Luis Alberto each scored, although it is worth mentioning that the Granata did strike the post twice early on in the second half. This was one of Lazio’s best performances this season under Maurizio Sarri as they defended well, created numerous chances and moved the ball with ease.
The Biancocelesti will have a difficult task versus Juventus due to injury. They will likely need to cope without their lead man Ciro Immobile in addition to full-back Adam Marusic who tested positive for COVID-19. Manuel Lazzari has just gotten back to full fitness.
Expected Starting Lineup
Player to Watch
Pedro has been at his best in recent times. He has scored in three straight Serie A matches with one being a game-winner versus Fiorentina. The Spaniard has also been voted man ‘Man of the Match’ in two of the last three Serie A matches. With Immobile expected to miss the match, Pedro is expected to slot in as a false nine. The forward has a big task ahead of him yet has been productive this season with four goals and has contributed two assists in twelve Serie A matches.
Juventus
Juventus have a record of 5W-3D-4L (18 points) and sit in 8th place in the top flight of Italian football.
In their recent league match against Fiorentina, they came away with a hard-fought 1-0 win at the Allianz Stadium. It was a well-balanced match between the two sides before Nikola Milenkovic was sent off in the 73rd minute. The Bianconeri then took advantage, with Juan Cuadrado scoring in the 91st minute to give them an important three points.
Concerning absences, Aaron Ramsey, Federico Bernardeschi, Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio, and Moise Kean will be unavailable to Massimiliano Allegri.
Expected Starting Lineup
Player to Watch
Manuel Locatelli, who joined Juventus this past summer, will start in the midfield against Lazio. The Italian has started in eight of their twelve Serie A matches thus far, managing to find the back of the net twice while also providing two assists. He also comes off an impressive performance for Juventus as he assisted on Cuadrado’s game-winner and was dominant in the middle of the park. However, in eleven appearances against Lazio, Locatelli has yet to register a goal or an assist versus the Biancocelesti, which he will hope to change.
Match Prediction
Juventus have been the stronger side in recent seasons as Lazio have managed to win just two of the past ten Serie A matches vs the Bianconeri. In addition, Sarri has struggled versus Allegri as he has only been able to win three of eleven matches when they have faced off against each other.
Four of the last ten matches between the two sides in Serie A have been decided by 2 or more goals, and neither side have earned a clean sheet in the past five Serie A matches.
Lazio 1-1 Juventus
