Juventus vs. Lazio: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream & TV Info
Just four days after an excellent display against AS Monaco, Juventus face another stern test when Lazio visit Turin on Saturday evening. Their opponents, having overtaken bitter rivals AS Roma in second place last week, come into this encounter as Serie A’s most in-form side.
Stefano Pioli’s men have won each of their last six games in all competitions, including a Coppa Italia victory over Napoli which means this clash is also a preview of next month’s final. They have recorded some impressive triumphs in recent weeks, with a 4-0 demolition of Fiorentina helping them to become the peninsula’s most prolific attack with their tally of 58 goals just one more than the Bianconeri have managed.
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Aside from their impressive scoring, there are a number of similarities between Lazio’s approach and that of AS Monaco as both play 4-3-3, have serious pace on the counter-attack while fielding an aging striker who still causes fear in opposing defences.
This will not be a simple match for Massimiliano Allegri, with the coach needing to find a delicate balance between preserving Juve’s 12-point cushion in the table and resting players ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg.
A number of key players—particularly Claudio Marchisio and Stephan Lichtsteiner—may sit out this encounter as they continue to nurse minor injuries, and Lazio will demand the team’s full attention just as Parma did last weekend.
Date: Saturday April 18, 2015
Time: 8:45 p.m. CET (7:45 p.m. BST / 2:45 p.m. EDT)
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin
TV Info: BT Sport 1 (U.K.) BeInSports (U.S. delayed)
Live Stream: BeInSport Connect (U.S.)
Form Lines
Last five domestic results:
Predicted Lineups
Juventus (4-3-2-1): Buffon; Padoin, Barzagli, Chiellini, Evra; Vidal, Pirlo, Sturaro; Pereyra, Tevez; Llorente
Lazio (4-3-3): Marchetti; Basta, Cana, Mauricio, Lulic; Cataldi, Biglia, Mauri; Candreva, Klose, Anderson
Player to Watch
While Miroslav Klose will be hoping to have more impact against the Juventus defence than Dimitar Berbatov, Felipe Anderson is undoubtedly the man to watch on Saturday. The Brazilian has gone from being a rarely used midfielder last season to arguably the most in-form star on the peninsula.
He has scored 10 goals and weighed in with seven assists, repaying the faith shown in him by the capital club. The 22-year-old spoke to Lazio Style Radio this week and discussed his improvement, telling them (h/t Football Italia):
"At the end of last season I realised I’d be able to make my mark at Lazio. I didn’t want to go on vacation, because I was aware that I could do well here. I believed and the fans were important too.
The club chose me and I chose them. Gradually we built up a deep rapport that goes straight to the heart. My family is also happy and we can now celebrate together.
"
Key Battle
The unpredictable nature of Juve’s expected rotation means it is difficult to identify a head-to-head clash that could decide this tie, but it is perhaps the men on the sidelines who will ultimately have most impact on the outcome.
Allegri has been superb in his first campaign in Turin, leading La Madama to the brink of success in three different competitions. He has taken what Antonio Conte built, understood what must be retained and then made minor changes which have made an already excellent side even better.
Pioli has had a similar impact at Lazio, lifting them from last year’s ninth-place finish to not only be in the Coppa Italia final but also currently occupy a Champions League berth. If they can retain that latter position—particularly at the expense of AS Roma—the coach and his players will be lauded by supporters for years to come.
Odds (via Odds Shark)
Home win: 25/38
Away win: 221/50
Draw: 67/25
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