Juventus face Lazio’s top-table test without suspended Spalletti

Juventus return from their Europa League trip to face one of Serie A’s joint leaders, but Luciano Spalletti will have to watch from the stands. The coach is suspended after his clash with Pisacane, leaving assistant Domenichini to take charge from the bench at the Allianz Stadium.

The fixture gives Juventus an immediate chance to respond to their setback at Cagliari. That defeat came against a side sitting fourth with 13 points from six matches. Now Juventus meet Lazio, who share the top spot with Inter after six rounds, in the closing match of Sunday’s seventh-round programme.

Calciomercato expects Juventus to stick with a 3-4-2-1, with Randal Kolo Muani as the central striker. He scored in Spain against Celta Vigo, as did Nick Woltemade, but the forecast has Woltemade starting on the bench. Francisco Conceição and Nico González are tipped to support Kolo Muani.

Sarr and Weston McKennie are candidates for the two central midfield places. At the back, Lucumì is expected to get the nod over Kelly in the three-man defence. These are projected selections, not a confirmed Juventus team.

Lazio are tipped to line up in a 4-3-3 under Gennaro Gattuso, with Tijjani Noslin leading the attack. Noslin’s two assists in the previous round have him in line to keep the central role, despite Andrea Pinamonti scoring his first goal for the club and pressing for a start. Isaksen and Zaccagni are expected on the wings.

Davide Frattesi, Belahyane and Taylor are forecast in midfield, with Floriani Mussolini and Nuno Tavares at full-back. Frattesi has made one league appearance this season, without a goal or assist.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 on Sunday. With Spalletti absent from the technical area, Domenichini’s task is to guide Juventus back to winning ways against a Lazio side at the summit alongside Inter.