Had Juventus not thrown away their comfortable 2-0 lead over Catania in dramatic fashion last week, this game would have had much more significance for the visitors. The story of that single game basically sums up the entire erratic season that Juve have had under Luigi Del Neri, who is unlikely to be in charge next term as a result.
The difference of seven points between the Bianconeri and hosts Lazio is too big a gap to bridge with only four games remaining, and the best Juve can realistically hope for next season is a place in the Europa League for the second year running. Lazio are still winning the fight for fourth place – a battle which has been more intriguing than the title race in recent weeks – while Udinese lie just a point behind them, and outsiders Roma lurk in sixth place.
Udinese face a tough trip to Fiorentina this weekend, while Roma should take all three points from their visit to already-relegated Bari on Sunday evening. Lazio may or may not still be in fourth place by the time they kick off against Juve, but they will be aiming for maximum points on Monday evening before making the crucial trip to Udinese next week. As coach Edy Reja has put it, “we can’t allow the Champions League to slip through our fingers.”
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Midfielder Stefano Mauri is suspended for the Biancoceleste following his red card last week, while Stefan Radu is out for the remainder of the season.
Juventus haven’t lost in the capital since 2005, their most recent visit resulting in a 2-0 win over Roma a month ago. This was their only win from their last four away games however. Lazio’s away record against the bigger teams this season is not a good one – they lost thanks to a 95th-minute goal in Turin the last time these two met – but they have beaten Inter, Napoli and Udinese at the Stadio Olimpico. The home side’s motivation will be greater on Monday, so I expect them to do enough to win a tough contest.
Prediction – Lazio to win – 3pts
Match odds: Lazio 11/10
Draw 21/10
Juventus 5/2
Lazio: Last 5 Serie A Results
23.04.2011 – Inter 2-1 Lazio
17.04.2011 – Catania 1-4 Lazio
09.04.2011 – Inter 2-0 Chievo
02.04.2011 – AC Milan 3-0 Inter
20.03.2011 – Inter 1-0 Lecce
Juventus: Last 5 Serie A Results
23.04.2011 – Juventus 2-2 Catania
17.04.2011 – Fiorentina 0-0 Juventus
10.04.2011 – Juventus 3-2 Genoa
03.04.2011 – Roma 0-2 Juventus
20.03.2011 – Juventus 2-1 Brescia
