Juventus and Lazio, evenly matched on 13 points in the Italian top-flight standings, are set to collide at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday evening. Despite being held to a stalemate prior to the international break, Juventus remains hot on the heels of the leaders, courtesy of an unblemished start under Thiago Motta.

The Turin giants failed to replicate the excitement of their Champions League triumph over RB Leipzig, instead being forced to share the spoils with struggling Cagliari. An early penalty from Dusan Vlahovic was ultimately neutralized by Douglas Luiz’s late concession.Motta’s Juventus remains three points adrift of pacesetters Napoli, boasting an unscathed record. The team’s youthful composition, boasting the second-lowest average age in the division, has made an impressive start.However, Juventus has now gone three consecutive top-flight matches without a victory at the Allianz Stadium, perpetuating a trend initiated under former manager Max Allegri. This season, they have drawn 14 of 27 league encounters, surpassing any other European top-tier side.History favors Juventus, with an impressive 15 victories in their last 20 Serie A meetings against Lazio in Turin. Although Lazio’s most recent away triumph dates back to October 2017, recent outcomes hint at a narrowing gap.Marco Baroni’s Lazio seeks to extend its winning streak to five matches across Serie A and the Europa League. A thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Empoli showcased their resilience.Lazio excels on home turf, securing seven wins from nine matches, but struggles on the road, averaging a solitary point per game. Baroni’s side faces a formidable challenge in Turin.

Juventus will be without long-term absentees Arkadiusz Milik and Bremer, alongside summer recruits Teun Koopmeiners and Nico Gonzalez. Weston McKennie and Nicolo Fagioli returned from international duty with minor knocks, while Francisco Conceicao serves a one-match suspension.Thiago Motta welcomes back Tim Weah from an ankle injury but must reorganize his lineup. Dusan Vlahovic aims to score in four consecutive appearances.Lazio’s Marco Baroni has only Manuel Lazzari (thigh) ruled out. Matteo Guendouzi’s availability depends on recovering from a bruised toe.Nuno Tavares has impressed with five assists in five Serie A matches. Given Juventus’ depleted roster and Lazio’s upward trajectory, the visitors may capitalize. Neither team would be overly disappointed with a draw, considering the high stakes and evenly matched opposition. For Juventus, a point would preserve their unbeaten record under Thiago Motta, keeping them within touching distance of leaders Napoli.Similarly, Lazio would view a draw as a credible result, given Juventus’ formidable home record and their own patchy away form. Marco Baroni’s side would stay firmly in the mix for a top-four finish, and a point would extend their momentum from recent victories.

Ultimately, a draw would serve as a testament to the competitive balance between these two Italian heavyweights, highlighting the finely poised nature of the Serie A title race. A gripping contest awaits in the Italian peninsula!

Best Tip: Juventus win or draw

Correct score: 1-1