Juventus and Lazio will both be aiming to close the gap to the top of the Serie A table when they face off in Turin on Saturday night.
Separated only by goal difference in the Serie A standings, Juventus and Lazio prepare to face off in a high-stakes clash at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday night. Both sides enter this contest on 13 points, looking to gain ground on the league leaders in what promises to be an intense showdown.
Juventus, under the management of Thiago Motta, have made a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign. Despite being unbeaten in their opening fixtures, they suffered a disappointing 1-1 draw against Cagliari just before the international break. An early Dusan Vlahovic penalty had put them in control. But a late spot-kick conceded in the 88th minute saw them drop points and miss the chance to move up the table. Nonetheless, the Bianconeri are just three points behind leaders Napoli and will be keen to return to winning ways on home soil.
Historically, Juventus have been dominant in this fixture when playing at home, winning 15 of their last 20 Serie A meetings against Lazio in Turin. However, they are also enduring a curious trend this season, having drawn 14 of their 27 matches in 2024 — a figure higher than any other team across Europe’s top five leagues. Motta’s side will look to avoid adding another draw to that tally, as they aim for all three points in front of their home fans.
Lazio, meanwhile, come into this game in great form, riding a four-match winning streak across Serie A and the Europa League. Marco Baroni’s men have been one of the most resilient sides in Italy this season, amassing seven points from losing positions and showing a never-say-die attitude that has propelled them into the upper echelons of the table. A 2-1 victory over Empoli last time out, where Pedro struck late to secure all three points, has only boosted confidence within the Biancocelesti camp.
Although Lazio have often struggled in Turin, recent results suggest a more competitive fixture this time around. They have won two of their last three Serie A meetings against Juventus, including a narrow 1-0 victory back in March. While their home form has been impressive, Lazio’s away record has been less consistent, and they will need to improve on their one-point-per-game average on the road if they are to challenge Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.
With both teams tied on points and looking to close the gap at the top, this encounter could be crucial in shaping their early-season fortunes. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Juventus will be missing several key players ahead of their clash with Lazio. Long-term absentees Arkadiusz Milik and Bremer are both out after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month. Additionally, summer signings Teun Koopmeiners and Nico Gonzalez are also unavailable for Saturday’s match due to injuries.
Juventus will also be without Francisco Conceicao, who is suspended for the match, and midfield duo Weston McKennie and Nicolo Fagioli, who returned from international duty with minor injuries, who are doubtful about selection. On the positive side, Tim Weah is available again after recovering from an ankle injury, providing Juventus with some much-needed depth.
In terms of formation, Juventus are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Michele Di Gregorio is likely to continue in goal, with Nicolo Savona at right-back and Pierre Kalulu partnering Federico Gatti in central defence. Juan Cabal is expected to feature at left-back. In midfield, Manuel Locatelli and Kephren Thuram will likely anchor the double pivot.
The attacking trio behind the striker should consist of Andrea Cambiaso on the right, Kenan Yildiz in the centre, and Samuel Mbangula on the left. Dusan Vlahovic will lead the line for the Bianconeri and is aiming to continue his fine form by scoring in his fourth consecutive appearance.
This lineup will require Juventus to be creative with their available resources, especially given the absence of key players in midfield and attack. Vlahovic’s goalscoring prowess will be critical as Juventus look to maintain their unbeaten run in the league.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cabal; Locatelli, Thuram; Cambiaso, Yildiz, Mbangula; Vlahovic
SS Lazio
Marco Baroni has been relatively fortunate in terms of squad availability ahead of their clash against Juventus. The only confirmed absentee for the trip to Turin is Manuel Lazzari, who is sidelined due to a thigh injury.
However, there is a small concern over Matteo Guendouzi, who sustained a bruised toe while on international duty with France in the UEFA Nations League. Should Guendouzi fail to recover in time, Matias Vecino, who has recently returned from injury, will likely step in to partner Nicolò Rovella in central midfield.
Nuno Tavares, the left-back on loan from Arsenal, has been a standout performer for Lazio, contributing five assists in as many Serie A matches, which is second only to Bukayo Saka across Europe’s top five leagues this season.
In terms of formation, Lazio are expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 setup. Ivan Provedel will continue between the posts, with a back four consisting of Adam Marusic at right-back, Mario Gila and Alessio Romagnoli as the centre-back pairing, and the in-form Nuno Tavares at left-back.
In midfield, Nicolo Rovella will partner either Matteo Guendouzi or Matias Vecino in a double pivot. The trio of attacking midfielders should feature Gustav Isaksen on the right, Boulaye Dia centrally, and Mattia Zaccagni on the left. Up front, Taty Castellanos will lead the line as Lazio’s primary attacking threat.
This lineup compliments Lazio’s attacking options, with Tavares providing a consistent threat from left-back and Castellanos looking to add to his goal tally. Should Guendouzi be fit, Lazio will have their strongest possible team available for this important clash.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos
Key Stats
- Lazio have won two of their last three league matches against Juventus (L1), which equals the number of victories they had in their previous 36 meetings against the Bianconeri in Serie A (D8 L26).
- After their 1-0 win in their most recent encounter with Juventus on 30 March, Lazio could secure two consecutive Serie A victories against the Bianconeri for the first time since 2001.
- Juventus are unbeaten in 19 of their last 20 home games against Lazio in Serie A (W15 D4). Lazio’s only away win in this period came on 14 October 2017 (2-1 with a brace from Ciro Immobile).
- Juventus have drawn 14 of their 27 league games in 2024 (W9, L4), more than any other side in Europe’s top five leagues. They have only twice recorded more draws in a single calendar year in their Serie A history: 15 in 1978 and 17 in 1956.
- Juventus have drawn their last three league matches at Allianz Stadium. They have only drawn four home games in a row three times in their Serie A history—most recently between April and May 2009, and earlier between March and April 2006 and between April and October 1990.
Player to Watch
Dusan Vlahovic
Juventus will heavily rely on the attacking prowess of Dusan Vlahovic when they face Lazio, and all eyes will be on the Serbian striker to deliver in this crucial encounter. Vlahovic has been in fine form, with the ability to score in a variety of ways, and he has a history of performing well against Lazio.
The Serb has already netted six goals in seven league outings against the Biancocelesti, showing his ability to exploit their defensive weaknesses. Vlahovic’s versatile finishing ability — scoring with headers, his right foot, and his left foot — makes him a constant threat in the final third. With Juventus missing key players like Arkadiusz Milik and needing a boost in attack, Vlahovic’s form could be decisive.
Having already found the back of the net consistently this season, he will be looking to score in four consecutive appearances for the first time since joining Juventus. Expect him to lead the line and be at the heart of Juve’s attacking efforts as they aim to secure three points against a resurgent Lazio side.
Prediction
Juventus 2-1 SS Lazio
Juventus’s solid home record and their ability to grind out results, combined with Lazio’s shaky away form, suggest that the Bianconeri will edge out a narrow victory. However, with Lazio’s attacking talents, it won’t be an easy match, and Juventus may have to rely on Vlahovic to make the difference. The Hard Tackle predicts a narrow 2-1 win for Thiago Motta and his charges
