An eagerly-anticipated clash of two sides which memorably fought out last season's scudetto race to near the death, Lazio meet Juventus at Stadio Olimpico in Serie A's blockbuster early Sunday kickoff.
The champions will travel from Turin buoyed by consecutive 4-1 victories, while Lazio have been resurgent in the league of late despite back-to-back Champions League draws.
Match preview
The last draw between Lazio and Juventus in Serie A came back in January 2014 - there have been 10 Bianconeri successes and two Biancocelesti wins in the most recent 12 fixtures - so the form books suggest a winner is assured.
When the two sides last met in July, Juventus won 2-1. However, Lazio did finally come out on top in their most recent meeting in the capital after a humbling streak of 14 home games without a win - remarkably losing 11 - against Juve in the top flight.
On Sunday, the Biancocelesti could potentially win two home league matches in a row against Juventus for the first time since 2001, when current manager Simone Inzaghi was actually a member of a star-stuffed Lazio squad.
However, in this entertainingly goal-laden Serie A season - in which they have had multiple injuries and illnesses in defence - Lazio have leaked 12 goals in their first six games for the first time since 1992-93.
Inzaghi's men conceded three in the incredibly dramatic comeback victory over Torino - sealed deep into injury time by Felipe Caicedo - having previously done so against Sampdoria, and also let in four in a surprise shellacking by Atalanta.
In midweek, well-travelled striker Caicedo was the late hero again, saving a deserved point against Zenit in Russia when called from the bench.
Though often overlooked for the first XI due to the stellar input of Ciro Immobile, Joaquin Correa and now Vedat Muriqi, the Ecuadorian stalwart is frequently productive when offered the opportunity.
Lazio's visitors this weekend have already scored 14 goals in the league themselves, recording three wins and three draws so far. There is no question that the Bianconeri are still heavily reliant on their iconic frontman though, as Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in each of his three league games this season and his effect on their win percentage is dramatic.
The Portuguese star returned from quarantine in style against Spezia, with a quickfire double once again establishing himself as the club's leading scorer on five goals in all competitions.
In his absence, Alvaro Morata had struck four times, despite having a seemingly innumerable amount of goals narrowly chalked off by VAR. His own brace against Ferencvaros on Wednesday seems to have established the ex-Real Madrid man as Andrea Pirlo's favoured partner for Ronaldo, as Paulo Dybala continues to work his way back to full steam following illness.
Though Juve and their hosts are only separated by two points in the table, the Old Lady's domestic defensive record is demonstrably better than Lazio's this term.
It is that factor which is most likely to divide these sides on Sunday - as well as news of another virus outbreak at the Aquile's training ground - with the champions strong favourites to continue their quest to make up ground lost on Milan.
Lazio Serie A form: WLDLWW
Lazio form (all competitions): LWWDWD
Juventus Serie A form: WDWDDW
Juventus form (all competitions): DWDLWW
Team News
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 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.
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Reina; Radu, Acerbi, Felipe; Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Luis Alberto, Fares; Correa, Muriqi
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Bonucci, Demiral, Danilo; Cuadrado, Bentancur, Rabiot, Frabotta; Kulusevski; Morata, Ronaldo
We say: Lazio 1-2 Juventus
Given the continuing uncertainty of Lazio's current predicament - and their ongoing defensive frailties - it is exceptionally difficult to see anything other than an away win for unbeaten Juventus on Sunday.
With coach Pirlo's gradual re-building job now taking some shape, the in-form Bianconeri attack can take care of business for the defending champions.
Top betting tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:databody check tags ::
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