Last year’s runners-up Juventus are on track to make a fourth Coppa Italia final in succession, but must navigate past impressive Lazio if they are to keep their run going on Thursday night.
Facing a mammoth task to even reach the Champions League places this term, the significance of a cup run has increased tenfold for the Old Lady, slammed with a massive points deduction in Serie A and beaten for a second time by lowly Monza last weekend.
Juventus vs Lazio Betting Tips
Securing their passage to the last four of the cup competition would provide fans of the Old Lady with a welcome boost and they enter the tie as favourites, priced at 21/20 to win.
Lazio, the 2019 competition winners, are at 5/2 to earn a first win over the Turin side in seven meetings, with the draw available at 11/5.
Team news
Paul Pogba and Dusan Vlahovic returned to the Juventus fray against Monza, with the latter making it onto the pitch in the twilight of the game in a long-awaited comeback for the talented striker.
Federico Chiesa is on his way back from a thigh problem – the 2021 cup final match-winner could have a role to play, while Mattia De Sciglio’s return looks set to continue.
The tie should come too soon, however, for returning skipper Leonardo Bonucci, while Juan Cuadrado also remains a doubt.
Arkadiusz Milik is out until next month with a thigh issue picked up against Monza and Weston McKennie has left for Leeds United on loan.
The visitor’s attack should be lifted by the availability of Ciro Immobile – the Lazio ace came off the bench to face Fiorentina last time out.
Right-back Manuel Lazzari could start after also making a cameo, while returns for Matias Vecino and Patric could be in the offing.
#PickYourPunt – Juventus and Over 2.5 Goals @ 12/5
Juventus emerged bruised from Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Monza, but they can at least count that result as an anomaly given that they have scored at least once in every game this season since the shock Champions League group stage defeat to Maccabi Haifa in mid-October – a run of 13 matches.
And while Lazio have struggled on the road, winning just one of their last three away from home – a run that includes a 3-0 defeat at Juventus Stadium in November, they do pose teams problems and had no trouble finding the net in the 3-0 drubbing of AC Milan on January 24th, suggesting a goal-laden tie could be on the cards on Thursday night.
The importance of the clash for Juve makes them hard to overlook as outright winners on the night, but they could be forced to bring their A-game by a side who sit third in the league.
Dusan Vlahovic to score anytime @ 7/5
Make no mistake – the absence of top scorer Milik after the Poland international pulled up late on against Monza with a thigh injury will be a big miss for Juventus, but it luckily coincides with Vlahovic’s own return.
With his team-mate now out of the attack for the coming weeks, the Serbian can now lay down a marker with a string of strong performances and cement his own berth in the line-up, having missed almost all Juventus’ action since the Champions League loss to Benfica in October.
The frontman has still managed six goals in the league despite limited game time and should represent Allegri’s foremost threat against Lazio.
