Lazio vs. Juventus, Preview: Back to business after European disappointment

Both teams crashed out at the Quarter-Final stage of Europe's premier and secondary competitions in midweek. However, Juventus have the comfort of knowing that Serie A is theirs to lose, as they come into this game with an eight point cushion over second placed Napoli.

Lazio themselves are eight points from the Champions League places, but have city rivals AS Roma, Inter Milan and Udinese all around them scrapping for a Europa League place and ready to pounce should they slip up.

Juventus have failed to get the better of Lazio in three meetings so far this season. The Biancocelesti parked the proverbial bus in November's reverse fixture to steal a point, then came away with a score draw in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi final. A last gasp Sergio Floccari winner in Rome denied the Bianconeri a second straight Coppa Italia final appearance.

Defensive trio Giuseppe Biava, Stefan Radu and Senad Lulic are all suspended for the home side, while Andre Dias and Abdoulay Konko will almost certainly miss out through injury and join Cristian Brocchi on the sidelines. Bruno Pereirinha could shake off a knock to play, but Marius Stankevicius is ready to deputise for the Portuguese defender.

Knee injuries to both Giorgio Chiellini and Sebastian Giovinco mean they join long term absentees Simone Pepe and Nicklas Bendtner on the Juventus sidelines.

Paolo De Ceglie, Simone Padoin, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Matri are all one booking away from missing next weekend's big meeting with AC Milan.