Pragmatism seems to have become the watchword at Juventus and, after getting off to a winning start with a narrow victory over Genoa (1-0), new Bianconeri coach Igor Tudor has opted to play it safe in the direct clash at the Olimpico against Roma (1-1), ending the Giallorossi’s long winning streak and, above all, preventing them from catching up in the standings. In the capital, the Old Lady played an intense but shrewd game, taking the lead at the end of the first half with Locatelli and conceding the equalizer from Shomurodov early in the second half.
When not in possession, the improvements made by the Croatian coach are already evident, but Juventus will also need to improve in attack if they want to finish the season in line with expectations at the start of the campaign and avoid missing out on a top-four finish, which would be a real disaster. In the last round, despite the 1-1 draw at the Olimpico, Bologna, who are one point ahead of the Bianconeri, drew with Napoli and did not pull away: Locatelli and his teammates can therefore overtake them and regain fourth place, considering that on this matchday, Bologna will be busy with Atalanta and that Roma and Lazio, ready to face each other in the capital derby, will also take points off each other.
Juventus, on the other hand, will face a team fighting to avoid relegation, Lecce, who arrive at the Allianz Stadium in fourth from bottom. The Salentini are the ones most at risk of slipping into the red zone, with only two points more than Empoli. A week ago, Marco Giampaolo’s men once again failed to win – their last victory came on January 31 – and the draw with Venezia (1-1), despite ending a five-game losing streak, feels like yet another missed opportunity to pull themselves out of a situation that is becoming worrying.
Juventus-Lecce: the latest news on the line-ups
Tudor could confirm more or less the same line-up that played in Rome: the only change will be on the left, with Cambiaso favored over Weah. Another bench appearance for Koopmeiners: Nico Gonzalez, who looked impressive at the Olimpico, offers more guarantees at the moment. The former Fiorentina player will support Vlahovic from the attacking midfield alongside Yildiz, who has become a fixture under Tudor.
There are few doubts for Giampaolo either: Ramadani should be confirmed in midfield, while in attack it is a duel between Tete Morente and Karlsson, with the Spaniard slightly ahead.
Odds comparison
The “Under 2.5” bet is priced at 1.83 on Goldbet and Lottomatica and at 1.80 on Snai. The “No Goals” bet is priced at 1.50 on Goldbet, Lottomatica, and Snai.
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Prediction
Among the many problems plaguing Giampaolo is the one related to goals: since February, the Salento side has scored very few goals, managing just four in their last eight games. Away from home, the Giallorossi are even worse: no team is less prolific than them on the road. It will therefore be difficult to score against a Juventus side that has become cynical and solid under Tudor. A second home clean sheet is on the cards for the Bianconeri.
Probable lineups for Juventus-Lecce
JUVENTUS (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Renato Veiga, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Nico Gonzalez, Yildiz; Vlahovic.
LECCE (4-3-3): Falcone; Guilbert, Baschirotto, Gaspar, Gallo; Helgason, Ramadani, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Krstovic, Tete Morente.