Saturday’s mouth-watering showdown between Juventus and Roma is a becoming strategy to shut out one other enthralling calendar yr in Serie A. With either side preventing for his or her lofty ambitions, a extremely anticipated encounter on the Allianz Stadium guarantees a spectacle for neutrals.
Dusan Vlahovic couldn’t have chosen a greater time to halt his two-year scoring drought in Serie A. The star frontman got here off the bench to attain a late winner at Stadio Benito Stirpe simply earlier than Christmas, paddling Juventus to an important 2-1 win at promoted Frosinone.
Nevertheless, it’s time to show off a celebratory temper. Because the season approaches the midway level, Juventus path chief Inter by 4 factors regardless of having fun with their greatest 17-game begin in Serie A since 2019/20. By the way, it was the final time they clinched the Scudetto.
Massimiliano Allegri’s males haven’t been essentially the most eye-pleasing facet by any stretch of the creativeness. Nonetheless, they arrive into proceedings in a buoyant setting after stitching collectively a jaw-dropping 12-game unbeaten league run (W9, D3).
Within the meantime, Roma have been the embodiment of inconsistency this season. However they’ll nonetheless take this journey in excessive spirits following a 2-0 dwelling victory in opposition to reigning champions Napoli final weekend. Although they had been up two males, it takes nothing away from their spectacular show on the Stadio Olimpico.
Objectives from Lorenzo Pellegrini and Romelu Lukaku helped Roma preserve a three-point deficit on fourth-placed Bologna, conserving their hopes of sealing a primary top-four end since 2017/18 alive. But, their Champions League credentials are about to face a stern take a look at in Turin.
Match Preview
Juventus
Regardless of Allegri’s steady effort to minimize Bianconeri’s title ambitions, Juventus stay the one legitimate candidate to spoil Inter’s Scudetto pursuit. Already ten factors off fifth-placed Fiorentina, the Turin heavyweights can solely go up, with the desk’s summit on the forefront of followers’ minds.
Prolificacy hasn’t been the hosts’ sturdy swimsuit. They’ve solely netted greater than as soon as in three of their eight dwelling league outings in 2023/24. It’s then a bit odd they’re the one facet but to lose a Serie A sport on dwelling turf this season (W6, D2). That’s as a result of their defensive solidity has been off the charts.
Solely Serie A pacesetters Inter (seven) have conceded fewer objectives than Juventus (11) this time period. One other resilient efficiency on the again is nearly obligatory, contemplating Juve’s final six dwelling league wins in opposition to Roma have come ‘to nil.’
Roma
Roma’s kind fluctuations make them an unpredictable adversary. Jose Mourinho’s males have delivered a blended bag of efficiency throughout their final three league matches (W1, D1, L1), with their solely defeat on this stretch approaching the highway to Bologna (0-2).
That was barely a shock, contemplating the guests’ notoriously underwhelming away kind. Roma have gained simply two of their eight league matches on the highway in 2023/24 (D2, L4). It’s much more regarding that these victories got here in opposition to bottom-half sides.
If Roma are to show these fortunes round, flying out of the traps is compulsory. A gradual begin might put this conflict past Giallorossi’s attain. They’ve suffered 4 defeats in 5 Serie A video games on the highway after conceding the opening objective (W1).
Workforce Information
Along with long-term absentees Paul Pogba, Nicolo Fagioli, Moise Kean, and Mattia De Sciglio, Juventus will likely be with out Alex Sandro and Andrea Cambiaso. Federico Chiesa is near full restoration, with Manuel Locatelli being the one remaining doubt.
As for Roma, Marash Kumbulla, Tammy Abraham, Chris Smalling, Leonardo Spinazzola, and Houssem Aouar are nonetheless on the sidelines. On the brilliant facet, Paulo Dybala might make the matchday squad however is extra more likely to begin on the bench.
Juventus vs Roma Potential Lineups
Juventus (3-5-2): Wojciech Szczesny; Federico Gatti, Gleison Bremer, Danilo; Weston McKennie, Fabio Miretti, Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot, Filip Kostic; Federico Chiesa, Dusan Vlahovic.
Roma (3-5-2): Rui Patricio; Gianluca Mancini, Diego Llorente, Evan Ndicka; Rasmus Kristensen, Bryan Cristante, Leandro Paredes, Edoardo Bove, Nicola Zalewski; Stephan El Shaarawy, Romelu Lukaku.
Juventus vs Roma Prediction
A goal-fest is the one situation we’re able to rule out earlier than the kick-off. Recognized for a defensive-minded philosophy, Allegri and Mourinho will most likely accept a ready sport. Whoever blinks first will most likely go dwelling empty-handed. We consider Juventus gained’t be that facet.
Prediction: Juventus Win
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