Coppa Italia champions Juventus meet Lazio in quarter-finals
Published:
Lee Gormley | January 20, 2016
Lazio v Juventus
- Coppa Italia quarter-final
- Wednesday, January 20th
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- Stadio Olimpico, Rome
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Old Lady look for further Lazio success
In a repeat of last season’s Coppa Italia final, in-form defending champions Juventus will once again collide with Lazio in this year’s quarter-finals, with the Old Lady seeking a sixth successive fixture victory.
On their way to also clinching the Serie A title, the Turin titans overcame Lazio in extra-time last May to lift the coveted Coppa Italia trophy, and have already toppled the Rome-based club twice this current campaign.
In fact, the visitors have not tasted defeat at the hands of the Stadio Olimpico outfit since January 2013, and are 23/20 favourites with Coral for another fixture triumph, while Lazio enter at 12/5 to avenge their final defeat last year.
Deadly Dybala can fire Juve to semis
As the reigning champions go in search of a place in this year’s semi-finals and a step closer to retaining their cup crown, they possess plenty of goal threats in this Lazio liaison in Rome.
Juventus managed to overcome their opponents in last year’s final to end a 20-year wait for the Coppa Italia trophy, with Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Matri grabbing the goals, but the latter has since joined Lazio, while Paulo Dybala now leads their line astutely.
Matri will look to find the net against the side he helped fire to Coppa success last season, while clinical Argentine attacker Dybala is seeking to continue his rampant run by adding to his impressive season tally of 13 goals. The talented forward also struck in both wins over Lazio this term already, a worrying prospect for the home defence.
Juventus on a rampant run of success
Massimiliano Allegri’s Italian champions are on a truly solid run of form domestically, which they will look to transfer into this cup clash, having prevailed in 10 consecutive Serie A outings.
Although the cup holders will have to do without several star names for their crucial quarter-final encounter, as Sami Khedira, Paul Pogba and Patrice Evra are set to be rested, while Roberto Pereyra, Mario Lemina and Andrea Barzagli are absent through injury.
Pogba’s possible absence means midfielder Hernanes could face his former employers, with Simone Zaza also an attacking threat for the travelling champions. Meanwhile, Mario Mandzukic is 7/2 to score anytime in a travelling victory in 90 minutes (£20 max stake).
Allegri is aware of the threat that Lazio can cause, but he has future Champions League and domestic duties also in mind when naming his side ahead of an exciting season run-in across all competitions.
“The team has given no signs of weakness, even with many changes. On Wednesday, the best team will go out onto the pitch, also with Sunday’s game against Roma in mind,” he stated.
“We’re still in the running on three fronts but haven’t achieved anything. We must keep working and picking up points.”
Lazio will be gunning to overturn their hapless fixture run and derail Juventus’ chances of further silverware success this season, with Stefano Pioli’s hosts 15/2 to win in normal time and both sides scoring (£20 max stake).
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Read our Serie A archive.
Coral’s top tip: Back Mario Mandzukic to score anytime and Juventus win in 90 minutes at 7/2, with a £20 max stake.
