Meeting for a crucial clash in Italy's Champions League race, Lazio will welcome top-four rivals Juventus to Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
Two of three teams locked together on 63 points in the Serie A standings - along with Lazio's old foes Roma - neither can afford to lose this weekend.
Match preview
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Keeping themselves in the mix for a vital top-four finish, Lazio have taken 11 points from their last five league games, as a fascinating fight for Champions League places nears its end.
With Napoli and Inter Milan scrapping it out for the Scudetto - and Atalanta BC looking fairly secure in third - only one spot seems to be available; Juventus, Bologna, Fiorentina and both Rome clubs are still in contention.
Lazio secured a 1-0 win over relegation-threatened Empoli last time out, when Boulaye Dia scored within one minute of kickoff: the Senegalese striker's nine league goals have now earned the Biancocelesti 11 points this term.
Curiously, Marco Baroni's men have actually accrued more points on the road, recently winning all of their last three away games, but home woes have continued for some time now: Lazio have drawn their last five Serie A matches at Stadio Olimpico.
Yet, beating Juventus and Lecce on Roman soil - either side of a tough trip to Inter - could be enough to secure their return to Europe's top competition.
Over the past two seasons, Lazio have won three straight home games against Juve in league and cup; so, Baroni's boys will be intent on making that four on the spin.
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Crucially, though, Juventus beat Lazio 1-0 in Turin earlier this season, and head-to-head records will determine which team qualifies for the Champions League if two or more finish level on points.
As both capital clubs are currently equal with Juve - and Bologna are only one point behind - that situation could come to pass, so slip-ups cannot be countenanced with just three rounds remaining.
In another clash between two contenders, the Bianconeri held Bologna to a 1-1 draw last Sunday, when Khephren Thuram scored his fourth league goal of the campaign, added to a tally of five assists. Partly responsible for their dismal season, Juve's recent recruitment has rarely worked out, but Thuram is proving to be a valuable addition.
The all-action midfielder's current coach, Igor Tudor, has overseen three wins, two draws and one loss since being appointed as interim manager, steadying the ship after a rocky ending to Thiago Motta's ill-fated reign.
Tudor - who filled a similar role at Lazio last season - has only gained two points from three away fixtures so far, but he will ideally need six from visits to Lazio and Venezia either side of next week's home game against Udinese.
Not only do Juventus require Champions League qualification due to their standing as Italy's most successful club, but major financial issues await if they fail to make Serie A's final top four - so, the pressure is on to leave the Olimpico victorious.
Team News
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Following fears that Juventus-owned Luca Pellegrini could be Lazio's only available full-back this weekend, Marco Baroni's woes have been eased by Manuel Lazzari and Nuno Tavares returning to full training.
Adam Marusic picked up a knock against Empoli but should be passed fit to resume his role at right-back, with Pellegrini featuring on the left. So, Patric and Elseid Hysaj - the latter of whom serves a suspension for his red card last week - should be the hosts' only absentees.
Nicolo Rovella - another player on loan from Juve - generally starts alongside Matteo Guendouzi in midfield, while Taty Castellanos and Boulaye Dia join forces in attack.
Meanwhile, the visitors still have their own defensive dilemmas, as Lloyd Kelly and Federico Gatti recently joined ACL victims Bremer and Juan Cabal on the sidelines; Andrea Cambiaso has now been ruled out by a thigh injury.
Furthermore, Igor Tudor must do without suspended forward Kenan Yildiz - who serves the second game of a two-match ban for being sent off against Monza - while Teun Koopmeiners is still struggling with an Achilles problem.
In better news for the Bianconeri's interim boss, top scorer Dusan Vlahovic has now recovered and could be named on the bench; Randal Kolo Muani is set to start up front.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Mandas; Marusic, Romagnoli, Gila, Pellegrini; Rovella, Guendouzi; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Castellanos
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Veiga, Savona; Weah, Locatelli, Thuram, McKennie; Conceicao, Gonzalez; Kolo Muani
We say: Lazio 0-1 Juventus
An incredibly tough game to call, this contest could be decided by just one moment of magic - or madness - as two well-matched teams lock horns.
As Lazio's former strength on home turf has recently dissipated, while Juventus are improving under new management, it might be the Bianconeri that move clear of their rivals in an enthralling top-four race.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
