Lazio V Juventus
Saturday 7th December 2019 – 19:45 (kick-off)
Italian Serie A
Pick: Lazio to WIN
Odds: 19/10
Bookmaker: Betfair
Italian Serie A Betting with 22Bet
(All betting odds displayed were correct as of 5th December 2019 at 23:10)
Preview: Undoubtedly the fixture of the weekend in Italy takes place in Rome, inside the iconic Stadio Olimpico, where Lazio have been in sensational form this season and will attempt to put Juventus to the sword on Saturday.
Lazio Vs Juventus Live Stats & Betting Odds
Lazio Preview – Can Serie A’s form side be stopped?
Tearing it up in Serie A are Lazio (3rd – W9 D3 L2, GF33 GA14), with L’Aquile’s form over the last six matches unrivalled. During the last six rounds, nobody has claimed more points (18/18) or scored more often (17 – almost three per game). It is form of potential champions – or, at least, it would be were they in the conversation to begin with, which is still not really the case despite climbing into third and within seven points of leaders Inter Milan and six behind Juventus.
Away from home, Lazio have demonstrated a more efficient side to their game to win three consecutive matches 2-1. This restraint has not been in evidence at home, however, where they have scored at least three times in each of the last five Serie A contests at Stadio Olimpico, winning four and dropping points only in that astonishing comeback when fighting back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Atalanta. When in trouble, then, there is ample goal threat to bail them out.
None more so than striker Ciro Immobile, who is red hot at the moment after scoring in nine consecutive league games (13 in total across that spell and 17 for the season, only failing to score on two occasions). So at odds of 13/8 (PaddyPower) to score anytime – and 9/2 (Sportingbet) to score first, which he has managed six times this season – the 29-year-old looks a must bet even in this, arguably their most difficult fixture of the season thus far, to continue his sublime scoring streak.
Juventus Preview – Old Lady the team for big occasions?
Even without being at their absolute best for much of the season (according to Expected Goals they are merely the sixth best team in the country at present) Juventus (2nd – W11 D3 L0, GF25 GA12) have still managed to find solutions to a lot of their problems. Late goals and gritty victories have been the theme throughout so far, and this alone has been enough to keep them firmly in the title reckoning, but doubts are setting in as to how sustainable this method of success will be for Maurizio Sarri.
Last week there was no late goal, and much of the grit came from the opposition who were out of form and light on players. Drawing 2-2 at home to Sassuolo was not in the script, with that result subsequently dropping The Old Lady down to second in Serie A, now trailing Inter Milan by a point. Certainly no crisis but far from ideal. Furthermore, Ronaldo’s late penalty would at least preserve the unbeaten status that has seen them avoid defeat across all nineteen competitive matches in 2019-20 (W15 D4).
The Sassuolo result has, however, halted some of their momentum having won four consecutive league games prior. The latest of those a hugely important victory in Atalanta, winning 3-1. Although, again, it was another below par effort, and, based on the quality of chances created, an extremely fortuitous outcome in their favour (xG: ATA 2.70 – 1.25 JUV). It was another big scalp though, placed rather nicely alongside those of Napoli (4-3) and Inter Milan (1-2) from earlier in the term.
Lazio Vs Juventus Key Facts:
- At home in Serie A this season, Lazio have registered five wins out of seven (W5 D2), averaged 3 goals per game and have won each of the last three.
- The only side in Serie A still to suffer a loss, Juventus have clinched maximum points in five of seven away matches including an important win at Inter Milan (1-2).
- Lazio last defeated Juventus at home in Serie A in 2003 (Lazio are D3 L11 at home since, losing this fixture in each of the last five seasons).
Betting Summary
The defending champions can consider themselves fortunate to have accrued as many points as they have. Performances so far from Juventus (29/20 BetVictor) haven’t always been good but, by the same token, credit is therefore due for continually grinding out results despite not always reaching the heights expected of them. However, would another below par performance suffice away to a side in such blistering form as Lazio? Personally, I am not so sure.
Lazio (19/10 Betway) are flying right now. Six straight wins all whilst managing to score plenty of goals, mainly through Ciro Immobile, who is bidding to score for a tenth straight fixture in Serie A. The only thing missing is a notable scalp, something that has eluded them so far this term after failing to beat Atalanta and Roma at home and losing away to Inter Milan. Are they merely flat-track bullies, smashing only the lesser sides but wilting against the big boys?
This is an intriguing clash and although Lazio have disappointed in the big games this season, there is no doubt in my mind that this current Juventus team are vulnerable. At the odds, Lazio have to be the play here, and their already attractive price can be boosted further when adding a Ciro Immobile goal in with it – the Score/Win Double market offers 10/3 (PaddyPower) about this.
