Juventus will be hoping to bounce back from their first defeat of the 2025/26 Serie A season as they take on Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
With Juve aiming to push back into the top six, and Lazio sitting in 12th, both teams have a point to prove in what could be a crucial fixture for their campaigns.
Team form
Juventus had an excellent start to the season, winning all of their first three matches. However, their form began to dwindle as they went on to have three consecutive draws, and most recently, their first loss of the season, 2-0 against Como.
Lazio, on the other hand, have had a much bumpier ride. They opened the season with a 2-0 loss, also to Cesc Fabregas’ Como, and have lost another two games since. They have two wins under their belt so far, and their two most recent games have ended in draws.
Both teams have scored a similar number of goals, with Juventus on nine and Lazio on 10, and they sit level on seven goals conceded.
Head-to-head
The most recent face-off between these teams ended in a 1-1 draw in May this year.
Prior to this, they had a run of seven consecutive meetings, beginning in 2021, in which the winner alternated each time—and notably, the home side won on every occasion.
Goals are almost guaranteed, as the last time this fixture ended goalless was back in 2012.
Team news
Lazio have added another name to its growing injury list, as attacker Matteo Cancellieri is out with a thigh injury. The winger has scored three goals so far this season, but was forced off in their recent game against Atalanta.
Samuel Gigot and Taty Castellanos remain absent from Maurizio Sarri’s side.
Despite circulating rumours of their return, it remains unclear whether Edon Zhegrova and Fabio Miretti will be fit enough to make an appearance for Igor Tudor’s Juventus side.
Tudor also remains without the reliable defensive power of Gleison Bremer, while Juan Cabal has also suffered a relapse of his thigh injury.
Key stats
Juventus has averaged 1.4 goals per league game, while Lazio sit marginally behind with a 1.3 goal per game average.
The injured Cancellieri has the most goals for Lazio so far, with three.
Juventus have an average of 6.3 shots on target per game.
Both sides have conceded an average of one goal in their last five league games
Lazio have received an average of two cards per game in their last five Serie A outings
Prediction
Considering Juventus’ position in the league and their determination after last week, the Old Lady can be expected to put on a decent display.
However, with a home advantage and some of Juve’s defensive power out, Lazio may be able to break through Juventus’ back line and produce many goal-scoring opportunities.
The game is likely to end in a draw, considering how evenly matched the teams currently stand.
