Juventus - Lazio predictions and free betting tips [02/04/2024]

Today as part of the first match of the Italian Cup semi-final, "Juventus" will host "Lazio" on their home field. The teams met each other the past weekend in the championship, and Igor Tudor's pupils proved to be stronger (1:0) thanks to Marusic's lone goal at the very end.           

Juventus

To reach the semi-final of the Italian Cup, "Juventus" beat "Salernitana" (6:1) and "Frosinone" (4:0) at home in previous rounds. Clearly, this week the task for the Turin team will get tougher, as they now face the formidable "Lazio". In the championship, the "bianconeri" hope to qualify for the next Champions League draw, and at the moment they occupy 3rd place in the Serie A standings and, having one game in hand, they are seven points ahead of the 5th placed "Roma". However, it's important to note that in the last nine rounds, Max Allegri's charges have won only once with four defeats. After draws with "Atalanta" (2:2) and "Genoa" (0:0), "Juventus" lost to "Lazio" (1:0) last weekend - all decided by a late goal from Adam Marusic. Generally, the hosts have reached the final of the national cup seven times in the nine previous instances, and a failure on Tuesday could cost Max Allegri his coaching position. 

Missing from Juventus's squad are promising midfielder Alcaraz, who joined the club this winter, winger Kostic, veteran Alex Sandro and striker Milik - all injured. Furthermore, midfielders Pogba and Fagioli are serving long-term suspensions. Dusan Vlahovic (15 goals and 4 assists) was suspended in the last round of the championship, but this time is available to play. He is, of course, expected to start, and his attacking partner will be Federico Chiesa (7 goals and 2 assists). Allegri unexpectedly changed the scheme, using 4-3-3 at the Olimpico instead of the typical 3-5-2 - it remains to be seen which version we will see on Tuesday.  

Lazio

Having won the Italian Cup in 2019, "Lazio" will have to work hard to achieve success in the current tournament draw. The biancocelesti in the round of 16 defeated "Genoa" with a score of 1:0, and in the previous round, with the support of their tifosi, they scalped "Roma" in the derby (1:0). In the championship, the "eagles" are going through hard times: the current 7th place in the standings does not give the right to participate in European cups. A series of unsuccessful results led the club management to part with Maurizio Sarri in March, which slightly shook up the team: first the visitors came out on top over "Frosinone" with a score of 2:3, and already under the guidance of Igor Tudor over the weekend defeated "Juventus" (1:0). Yet another triumph on Tuesday would become the club's longest winning streak in all competitions since the stretch from December 22 to January 14.

It's important to note that "Lazio" performs quite well away from home: in 15 away matches, the capital's team scored 22 points, scored 22 goals, conceded 21. Lacking from the Rome squad are starting goalkeeper Provedel, midfielder Rovella rented from "Juventus", and winger Lazzari. Over the weekend, Igor Tudor made a number of changes to the biancocelesti lineup: in particular, he benched Guendouzi, playmaker Luis Alberto (4 goals and 5 assists) and ageing Ciro Immobile (6 goals). Japanese Kamada and Argentine striker Castellanos (4 goals and 3 assists), as well as Felipe Anderson (3 goals and 6 assists) and Dzakkanje (4 goals) all started the game; the latter two are certainly going to appear on the field from the first minutes in Turin. 

Head-to-Head

The teams met each other twice this season in Serie A and they both won home games: "Juventus" 3:1 and "Lazio" 1:0. In the meanwhile, the "eagles" haven't known success in Turin since 2019 (having suffered 5 defeats here during this time).  

Match prediction Juventus - Lazio

Both teams are unlikely to be open in this first semi-final match, so a tactical battle between Allegri and Tudor awaits us. The hosts have not known a win for four consecutive league games, and another stumble in the Cup could cost the Turin side's coach his job. "Lazio" performs very pragmatically away from home and will play defensively, so I risk betting on a draw.