Against All Odds: Miroslav to edge Lazio Klose to Europe

 

Lazio are fighting to qualify for European football next season and while they aren't fancied to get a result against Juventus this evening, Paul Robinson thinks they can pull a rabbit out of the hat.

 

After a promising start to their campaign that saw them up there challenging for the title at one stage, Lazio have faded away since the middle of January. They came back from the winter break with two victories, but since then it's been two wins from their next 11. This has left Vladimir Petković's team down in fifth place, level on points with Roma behind them, but four points adrift of Fiorentina in fourth.

 

Tonight represents Lazio's game in hand and while they wouldn't want it to be against the league leaders and reigning champions, there are reasons to be positive. Firstly, The Eagles beat Juventus over two legs in the Copa Italia semis to reach the final in May. They drew the away fixture 1-1 before beating them 2-1 at home. Secondly, Miroslav Klose has worked his way back to full fitness and the big German is the club's leading scorer in Serie A.

 

Juventus look set to retain their title as they are eight points clear of Napoli in second with a game in hand. The Old Lady can afford to drop points until the end of the season and a tricky away trip on the back of Champions League disappointment could be one of those times.

 

Antonio Conte must be dismayed at how easily his side were dismissed by Bayern Munich, especially in the home leg on Wednesday. The Italians were ultimately found out by their lack of quality up front as they failed to register a goal or even a serious threat to Manuel Neuer. Clearly this will be an easier test for the men from Turin and while they have won their last four in a row in the league, they have only won three of their last half dozen on the road.

 

Giorgio Chiellini injured himself in training for Juve and while Stefan Lichtsteiner and Arturo Vidal return from suspensions, one of Andrea Pirlo or Claudio Marchisio will likely be rested to accommodate former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

 

A trip to Stadio Olimpico isn't easy at the best of times and with Juventus on a downer following their Champions League exit and the fact that the title is pretty much sewn up, I can see Lazio getting a result in this one, especially considering they need all the points they can get to qualify for Europe. That's why, with Juventus trading around the 1.97 mark, I have to make them my lay of the day.

 

Recommended Bet

Lay Juventus v Lazio @ 1.97

 

This match is live on ESPN at 19:45

 

Bet HERE

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