Preview: Lazio vs. Juventus
Lazio host Juventus in matchday 7 of Serie A on Sunday 8th November, 11:30am at Olimpico. The hosts currently sit in 9th place in the table having beaten Torino 3-4 last time out, while the visitors are in 3rd after their 1-4 win against Spezia.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Reina; Hoedt, Acerbi, Felipe; Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Parolo, Luis Alberto, Fares; Correa, Caicedo
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, Demiral, Danilo; Kulusevski, Bentancur, Rabiot, Chiesa; Morata, Ronaldo
Star striker Ciro Immobile, midfielder Lucas Leiva and goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha are unavailable after they were prevented from travelling by UEFA ahead of Lazio's midweek trip to St Petersburg in the Champions League.
A subsequent Italian FA (FIGC) investigation has focused on protocols at the club, as all three had been cleared to play against Torino after previous positive tests. Further swabs showed all negative results on Friday but - as things stand - the trio will not be selected.
Veteran Senad Lulic and Italy international Manuel Lazzari are also out of action for Simone Inzaghi's side, so Adam Marusic and Mohamed Fares are likely to take the wing-back roles in their usual 3-5-2.
Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo saw stalwart centre-back Giorgio Chiellini return to the fold this week, only to pull up injured once more, while fellow defender Matthijs de Ligt not yet ready for a squad spot after recently returning from shoulder surgery.
Aaron Ramsey picked up another knock and will be re-assessed during the international break, as he has withdrawn from the Wales squad. Alex Sandro will also return later this month as he is yet to resume full training after a thigh injury.
The two berths alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in attack should go to Alvaro Morata and Dejan Kulusevski, with versatile American midfielder Weston McKennie vying with Rodrigo Bentancur for a central role.