Juventus’ season got off to a terrible start, but in recent weeks they’ve been able to turn things around significantly. They’re on a four-match winning streak and have climbed all the way back up to fifth in the table, sitting just seven points out of first place. That’s a far cry from the team that was flirting with the relegation zone just two months ago.
Juventus vs. Lazio 2015 live stream: Game time, TV schedule and how to watch Serie A online
Juventus are hoping to extend Lazio’s skid while they try to keep climbing up the table.
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Lazio, on the other hand, are headed in the opposite direction. After finishing third last season, many thought that they might pose a challenge to the Serie A title this season, and early on it looked like they’d do exactly that. More recently, though, they’ve been battered by injuries and poor form, sending them tumbling down to 10th in the table. While they’ve secured a place in the Europa League knockout rounds, they’ve lost four of their last five in Serie A and haven’t won in the league since October. Lazio need to start turning things around quickly, or things could spiral away from them in a bad way.
Key player -- Paulo Dybala (Juventus)
Dybala has been on fire of late, despite a fairly mediocre three goals in his last eight matches. Even when he’s not scoring, he has the ability to disrupt the opposing defense and keep them off-balance. Give him an inch of space, and Dybala will punish you ruthlessly for it. Deny him that space, and he’ll fight and scratch and claw to make it for himself. Either way, he’s a huge threat, and needs to be accounted for.
Key matchup -- Felipe Anderson (Lazio) vs. Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus)
Lichtsteiner has spent a lot of time on the sidelines this season, and has only looked like he’s playing at his full skill capacity in a handful of matches. If he doesn’t have his legs under him in this match, it’s a bad, bad thing for Juventus since he’ll be facing down Felipe. The Brazilian winger has himself struggled to find consistent form this season, but he’s still by far Lazio’s most dangerous attacker and greatest threat to Juventus’ back line. If Lichtsteiner can’t contain him, it’s going to be a terrible day for the Old Lady.
Lazio injuries and suspensions
Out: Ogenyi Onazi, Stefano Mauri, Senad Lulic, In doubt: Ravel Morrison
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Paul Pogba, Hernanes, Roberto Pereyra In doubt: Sami Khedira, Martin Caceres, Kwadwo Asamoah
Paul Pogba’s suspension is a big blow for Juventus given his recent resurgence in form, but Lazio will mourn the shocking absence of Senad Lulic, who lost part of a finger in a freak weight room accident this week.
Match Date/Time: Friday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
TV: beIN Sports en Español (U.S. & Canada - Spanish), Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia (Italy), BT Sport Europe (U.K.), RAI International
Online: Fubo TV, beIN Sports Connect (U.S. & Canada), Sky Go Italia (Italy), BT Sport Live Streaming (U.K.)
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