Juventus vs Lazio: Serie A Matchweek 7 Preview
Lazio arrive in electric form, but Juventus have enough to make Sunday a proper contest
Five wins from six. Lazio have been quietly brilliant in Serie A this season, scoring 11 and conceding just 4 across those six matches, and they arrive at Juventus on Sunday with genuine momentum behind them. Their last three results — a 3-1 win over Monza, a 2-0 at Venezia, and a 2-2 draw with AC Milan — paint the picture of a side that can grind out different kinds of performances, which is exactly what the best teams in any league do. In fantasy football circles, D. Frattesi has been the standout name, bagging 2 goals from just 2 appearances and racking up 2 key passes along the way. He's right up there with the league's top scorers, alongside D. Malen who has hit 5 goals in 2 apps for Roma. That kind of output from a central midfielder is a real problem for any defence facing them.
Here's the thing, though — Juventus aren't exactly rolling over for anyone. Three wins, two draws, one defeat from their last six, with 9 goals scored and 5 conceded. That 2-0 win over Atalanta showed they can be ruthless, even if the 1-1 at Cagliari and a 3-2 loss to Sassuolo tell a more complicated story. The injury list is a legitimate concern heading into this one. K. Yıldız, M. Locatelli, J. Ekhator and A. Milik are all unavailable, and Locatelli's absence from midfield is particularly felt — he had 5 key passes in just 2 appearances this season before the meniscus injury that could keep him out until January 2027. Losing your creative engine in the middle of the park against a side with Lazio's current form is less than ideal, and that's putting it mildly.
With Locatelli out, the creative burden in this match preview falls on Francisco Conceição, who has contributed 1 assist and 6 key passes from his 2 appearances — a really encouraging return. Bremer chipping in with 1 goal from centre-back adds another dimension, and T. Koopmeiners has a goal to his name too despite limited minutes. On the Lazio side, M. Zaccagni with 5 key passes and B. Dia with 4 key passes and 1 assist have been pulling the strings in attack, while C. Mandas behind them has kept 2 clean sheets and made 4 saves — the kind of goalkeeper form that wins you points in any premier league or champions league-level side. Lazio's defensive record across these 6 games, shipping only 4, suggests they're not just pretty going forward either.
The absences on both sides — Lazio are also without Rovella, Guðmundsson, several defenders and Furlanetto in goal — mean this won't be the full-strength clash the fixture deserves. But Serie A doesn't wait for anyone. Juventus at home will be desperate to close the gap on Lazio's 16-point haul, and the crowd will drive them forward. That said, a side that has won five of its last six doesn't lose its shape just because a few players are missing. Lazio to edge this one.
