Revived Lazio aim to further close the gap behind European positions with a triumph over league leaders Juventus, but the hosts clearly face an uphill task.

The Bianconeri have only suffered two slip ups so far, while winning every one of their last twelve league fixtures, and they will fancy their chances of winning at Stadio Olimpico.

Over the last few years, Lazio have failed to keep up with Italy’s top sides, which was not too surprising given chairman Claudio Lotito’s reluctance to splash the cash on new signings.

Having finished the previous campaign in seventh place, the Biancocelesti experienced more problems this season and their poor performances eventually saw coach Vladimir Petkovic get the boot.

That proved to be a good decision as new boss Edoardo Reja helped the players restore some of the lost confidence, with Lazio impressing in last four fixtures.

While defeating Parma to reach Coppa Italia semi-finals, the Biancocelesti beat Inter at home and Udinese away in the league, while also bringing one point from Bologna.

As a result, Lazio have closed the gap behind top 5 places to five points and are now available at 5.75 (19/4) to see off Juventus as well.

Edy Reja, however, faces severe selection problems, with Mauri, Lulic and Onazi suspended, and Novaretti, Radu, Pereirinha and Ederson out injured.

On top of that, he has Abdoulay Konko, Federico Marchetti and Alvaro Gonzalez all facing fitness tests ahead of the Juventus game.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-2-1): Marchetti – Ciani, Biava, Dias – Cavanda, Ledesma, Biglia, Konko – Candreva, Hernanes – Klose.

Even before the season started, Juventus were seen as the main candidates for the league trophy, and while everybody at the club can be satisfied with how their league campaign is unfolding, things are not exactly going according to plan in general.

The Bianconeri were first surprisingly eliminated from the Champions League, whereas the Coppa Italia defeat to AS Roma denied them the opportunity to win more than one trophy this season.

This should make Antonio Conte’s side even more motivated to lift the trophy in Serie A, and I really cannot see them squandering the eight-point advantage.

Nevertheless, Juventus will not have an easy task in an attempt to make it 13 league victories in a row, even if they are 1.75 (3/4) favourites to win at Stadio Olimpico.

The visitors will also try and get revenge on Lazio for the defeat in last year’s Coppa Italia semi-finals, which should serve as an extra incentive.

Antonio Conte was delighted to hear that Giorgio Chiellini’s injury is not as serious as first feared, but the Italy international is suspended for the Lazio game.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Buffon – Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna – Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah – Llorente, Tevez.