Lazio - Juventus Preview: Marchisio warns of wounded hosts

Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio is wary of a backlash from struggling Lazio when Massimiliano Allegri's team travel to the Stadio Olimpico on Friday.

Since losing 1-0 at Sassuolo at the end of October, Juventus have won five matches in a six-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

The return to form has helped the defending champions claw their way back up the Serie A table to fifth, seven points shy of Napoli, who replaced Inter at the summit with a 2-1 win over Roberto Mancini's side on Monday.

Lazio are only five points worse off in 10th, but their form has collapsed over recent weeks.

Europa League wins over Rosenborg and Dnipro have disguised an alarming slide which has seen Lazio collect one point from their past five matches in the league.

"When a team goes through difficult moments, they will try to bounce back in a big game," Marchisio told Sky Italia.

"But we are preparing well, we are confident."

Marchisio has been heartened by Juve's recovery from winning only one of their opening six Serie A games this term and he believes there is further improvement to come, with lifting a fifth successive Scudetto remaining a significant challenge.

"The recovery is not yet complete but the pride and commitment of the last month is perfect," he said.

"We're back and it will be more difficult than in past year to win the title. The departures during the close-season were incredible but the season is long and there are still a lot of matches to go."