Italian Serie A
2010-01-31 - Juventus vs S.S Lazio
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Both teams are coming into this match not in the best of form as Juventus have a new coach while Lazio are battling against relegation.
At the start of the season, Juventus were targetting the Scudetto after a strong transfer campaign and the Aquile followed up their Coppa Italia triumph with the Italian Super Cup. Instead 2010 has been a disaster for both parties to date.
Juventus goes into this match losing 9 of their last 12 games in all competitions. In midweek they were shown the Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Inter Milan. That was Ciro Ferrara’s last chance as Alberto Zaccheroni was appointed as the new coach 24 gours later.
Juventus have dropped out of the top five this season and now are at risk of failing to qualify for the Champions League and even the Europa League. Their cause has not been helped by Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Grosso who has to sit out bans, as the goalkeeper received the first red card of his 396-game Serie A career during the 2-1 loss to Roma.
The injury list includes Vincenzo Iaquinta, Mauro Camoranesi, Martin Caceres, David Trezeguet, Sebastian Giovinco, Christian Poulsen, Claudio Marchisio and Hasan Salihamidzic. At least Alessandro Del Piero should return after recovering from gastroenteritis.
Lazio are worse off as they have won only two games in their last 19 games in all competitions. They are now just two points clear of the relegation zone entering this match. They are also out of the Coppa Italia after a 3-2 quarter-final loss at Fiorentina, which means that Davide Ballardini is under a great deal of pressure at the moment.
The Lazio fans has put the blame on President Claudio Lotito for creating an atmosphere of tension that has seen its players take legal action against the club. Goran Pandev has joined Inter Milan but Cristian Ledesma had his wish turned down.
Lazio are already missing the likes of Francelino Matuzalem, Cristian Brocchi, Sergio Floccari, Pasquale Foggia, Christian Manfredini and the fact Mourad Meghni is on Africa Cup of Nations duty. Julio Cruz is favourite to partner Mauro Zarate upfront, sending Tommaso Rocchi to warm the bench. Aleksandar Kolarov will start in his new midfield position.
Lazio goes to Turin with the fact that they have lost their last two visits there. They have scored just two but conceded seven goals. The club’s total top-flight record here is of just nine wins, 16 draws and 41 defeats. Lazio's most recent away victory was 2-1 on December 15 2002 against a Juve side that included Ferrara in defence.
Take Juventus to come out on tops here.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Juventus 1-0 or 2-0
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Juventus to win this match.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Juventus and give the 3/4 ball here.
