It’s almost a battle to see which team is less worse off, as Juventus have another new Coach and Lazio teeter on the edge of the relegation zone.

These two clubs had such high hopes going into the new season, as the Bianconeri targeted the Scudetto following a strong transfer campaign and the Aquile followed up their Coppa Italia triumph with the Italian Super Cup. Instead 2010 has been a disaster for both parties.

Juventus have lost a remarkable nine of their last 12 games in all competition, following up three consecutive Serie A defeats with a midweek Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Inter. That was Ciro Ferrara’s last chance as Alberto Zaccheroni was appointed less than 24 hours later.

“We are very disappointed, as we have failed at another of our objectives for the season,” commented President Jean-Claude Blanc. Sliding out of the top five for the first time this season, Juve risk failing to qualify for the Champions League and even the Europa League.

To make matters worse, the squad is decimated for this match. Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Grosso sit out bans, as the goalkeeper received the first red card of his 396-game Serie A career during the 2-1 loss to Roma.

The injury list includes Vincenzo Iaquinta, Mauro Camoranesi, Martin Caceres, David Trezeguet, Sebastian Giovinco, Christian Poulsen, Claudio Marchisio and Hasan Salihamidzic. At least Alessandro Del Piero should return after a bout of gastroenteritis.

It’s hardly going better at Lazio with just two wins in their last 19 Serie A matches leaving the team floundering two points clear of the relegation zone. Also out of the Coppa Italia following a 3-2 quarter-final loss at Fiorentina, Davide Ballardini is under a great deal of pressure.

Above all the fans blame President Claudio Lotito for creating an atmosphere of tension that has seen its players take legal action against the club. Goran Pandev succeeded in freeing himself to join Inter, but this week Cristian Ledesma’s appeal was rejected. There are reports the midfielder could now be placed back into the line-up for the first time this season.

Ledesma would be a useful addition considering injuries to Francelino Matuzalem, Cristian Brocchi, Sergio Floccari, Pasquale Foggia, Christian Manfredini and the fact Mourad Meghni is on Africa Cup of Nations duty. Julio Cruz is favourite to partner Mauro Zarate upfront, sending Tommaso Rocchi to the bench. Aleksandar Kolarov continues to shine in his new midfield position.

Lazio have lost their last two Serie A visits to Turin, scoring two goals and conceding seven. The club’s total top-flight record here is of just nine wins, 16 draws and 41 defeats. The most recent away victory was 2-1 on December 15 2002 against a Juve side that included Ferrara in defence.

Keep an eye on: Julio Cruz (Lazio) – Il Jardinero has an excellent scoring record against Juventus, having netted 12 goals against the Bianconeri, who are by far his favourite target. These are broken down into two Champions League goals for Feyenoord, five in Serie A between Bologna and Inter, two in the Trofeo TIM and another three Coppa Italia strikes for the Nerazzurri.

Last five in Serie A: Juventus (L W L L L) Lazio (L W D L D)

Last season: Juventus 2-0 Lazio

Juventus (probable): Manninger; Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Sissoko, Candreva, Felipe Melo; Diego; Del Piero, Amauri

Lazio (probable): Muslera; Diakhite, Stendardo, Radu; Lichtsteiner, Baronio, Firmani, Kolarov; Mauri; Cruz, Zarate

Ref: Saccani

Team should be 4-3-1-2 as shown in preview.

This is a team we can't field:

Even with the shocking form and players out, there is a decent chance we can win, especially with a new coach in charge.

waiting to see what happens in this game with Zach in charge

I will predict a score draw.

2 Caceres
3 Chiellini
4 Felipe Melo
5 Cannavaro
10 Del Piero
11 Amauri
12 Chimenti
13 Manninger
15 Zebina
20 Giovinco
21 Grygera
22 Sissoko
26 Candreva
27 Paolucci
28 Diego
29 De Ceglie
32 Yago
33 Legrottaglie
39 Marrone
36 Giandonato


Giovinco and Marrone make it in

Juve should be:

Luckily for us Lazio are also currently terrible, I think with a new coach and players with a kick up the ass we will put in a performance and win (hopes).

Latest anyway.

Diego Shot Min.21
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Candreva Shot Min.51
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Juve get a very dodgy penalty.

And Del Piero scores it.

Not only Inter who get favorable decisions then.... laughable penalty

1-0 Del Piero

Mauri equalises with a good volleyed finish.

He got ahead of Cannavaro (I think) far too easily.

justice is served

Mauri cuts his head with his celebrations...

1-1 Mauri Min.78
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Game over. 1-1

What has happened to Amauri lately, he looks so poor in every aspect of his game.

1-1 FT BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I must have posted in a Man Utd thread lol. Pretty uninspiring, we were the better team but couldn't get a goal, then we had a lucky break with a penalty for a change, but still defend like jokers, so basically same shit different day. The way things are looking now I doubt we'll even finish in the CL places, this season has just been a disaster and apart from the decision today it has all gone against us. Melo went off with what looked like a thigh strain (seems all the rage in Turin) and Sissoko is suspended and carrying a shoulder injury so in Livorno we will literally have no central midfielders, it just gets worse and worse, injuries are the key factor and it shows no sign of getting better. It's just injury after injury on top of each other, there is no escape route out of this mess until we get players back, but working on the defence should be a first priority.

Manninger 6
Grygera 5
Cannavaro 6
Chiellini 5
De Ceglie 6
Melo 7 (Caceres -)
Sissoko 5
Candreva 6
Diego 7
Del Piero 6 (Paolucci -)
Amauri 5

I'm just going through the motions with this team right now, it's a chore to watch them, we don't even seem to play with a striker in this crap formation. Yeah yeah, we don't have Iaquinta, Trezeguet, this player or whatever, but we have a lot more than other teams and more than Lazio. I'm not sure what Zac can do in his short spell, but nothing looks good atm. We even get a break and choose to throw it back, I'm losing interest by the day or otherwise you would go mad trying to analyse everything that has gone wrong and we are in such a pathetic position.