Overview: Juventus will seek to extend the dominance of the Derby della Mole by welcoming Torino on Saturday evening. The Old Lady has gone unbeaten in its last 18 matches against Torino and is looking to make that a 19th consecutive win as it hosts its city neighbors in one of the most-anticipated matches of the Serie A season. Backed by recent solidity at the back and sterling form at home, Juventus goes into the game as clear favourites.
Match Preview:
Juventus goes into this Turin derby on the back of a hard-earned Champions League draw against Lille, where Dusan Vlahovic scored his 50th goal for the club from the penalty spot. But though defeated in France, Juventus stayed close to the top eight and kept their hopes alive for automatic entry into the last 16. Domestically, they were positioned sixth in Serie A after a recent 2-0 win over Udinese that maintained their unbeaten record in the league.
The Bianconeri have grown a solid backline, with 12 clean sheets in their last 19 league games, although Juventus holds the longest unbeaten streak across Europe’s top five leagues since April, although many of those games have ended all square.
Torino, meanwhile, doesn’t show any sign of form after losing their last three Serie A matches, including a 1-0 defeat to Fiorentina last weekend. Coach Paolo Vanoli is under pressure as his team’s early-season promise has gone and Torino’s attack, especially after a season-ending injury to captain Duvan Zapata, has not clicked. Toro have lost five of their last six league matches and also went out of the Coppa Italia, casting doubts over their chances of challenging Juve.
Form Guide:
Juventus Serie A Form: WDWDDW
Juventus (All Competitions): WLDDWD
Torino Serie A Form: LLLWLL
Team News and Predicted Lineups:
Juventus coach Thiago Motta would likely make a few alterations, as he balances rotation, keeping in mind that the team needs to play every three or four days. Bremer will be out for the season. Danilo will return from the UEFA suspension while Douglas Luiz has just finished his full recovery after being injured. Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, and young full-back Nicolo Savona will all battle for a starting place.
Che Adams, Torino’s first choice up front, is a doubt following a thigh issue and will face a late fitness test before kickoff. Should he not make it, teenager Alieu Njie could start up front alongside Antonio Sanabria. Duvan Zapata and Perr Schuurs continue to miss out while Ivan Ilic is fit to be involved after recovering from an injury.
Predicted Lineups:
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli; Conceicao, McKennie, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic
Torino: Milinkovic-Savic; Coco, Maripan, Masina; Pedersen, Ilic, Ricci, Vlasic, Lazaro; Njie, Sanabria
Prediction:
Juventus 2-0 Torino Juventus has Serie A’s stingiest defense, having conceded the fewest total shots (93) and shots on target (27), while Torino has allowed the most shots in the league (188). That should mean Juventus cruises to a home win, with a clean sheet likely against Torino’s weakened attack.
