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Only 2 sides, Juventus and AS Roma, are representing the Serie A in the Champions League this year but both of them were unable to return with all the 3 points as the latter drew 1-1 with Manchester City in an exciting match whereas the Bianconeri slumped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the Spanish capital. Come this weekend, the top 2 teams of Italy will go head-to-head to earn the bragging rights and determine who goes ahead in the title race.
Venue
The match is scheduled to take place in the Juventus stadium, the home turf of the Bianconeris. Situated in the Vallette borough of Turin, Italy, the stadium boasts a seating capacity of 41,254.
Kick-off timing
9:30 PM (IST)
Probable line-ups
Juventus: Italy international Angelo Ogbonna may start after being dropped to the bench for the Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid whereas veteran Andrea Pirlo will be marking his return to the starting line-up after a month long absence due to a hamstring problem.
Predicted lineup: Buffon; Ogbonna, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Evra; Tevez, Llorente
Roma: Morgan De Sanctis will put on the gloves ahead of Skorupski, who replaced him in goal for the Champions League clash against Manchester City. Juan Iturbe, who made his first appearance following his injury in the match against the Citizens, may be given a nod ahead of Florenzi. Midfield maestro Daniel De Rossi will be out for atleast another 2 weeks.
Predicted lineup: De Sanctis, Maicon, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Cole; Pjanic, Keita, Nainggolan; Iturbe, Totti, Gervinho
Key match stats and facts
Juventus have lost just 2 of their last 10 meetings (home and away) with Roma in the league.
Juventus have won all 5 of their league games this season without conceding a single goal.
Roma are undefeated in all competitions this season.
Key battles
Giorgio Chiellini vs Francesco Totti
There appears little doubt that Italy international Giorgio Chiellini is one of the best defenders around in Serie A and Juventus will rely on the towering centre-back to help the Turin side to a good result at the weekend. Chiellini has been La Vecchia Signora's most consistent performer at the back this season and the 30-year-old will have to be at his best again on Saturday.Roma will be looking to club icon Francesco Totti to score goals for the Giallorossi. The experienced attacker scored the equaliser against Manchester City in the Champions League and will be determined to prove his worth in another big game on Sunday. Though he is now 38, age seems to be just a number for the veteran as he still possesses his characteristic attacking verve and the Turin side's back-line will have to be at their absolute best if they have to render him ineffective.
Maicon vs Carlos Tevez
Former Manchester City defender, Maicon, has surprisingly enjoyed a fruitful spell back in Italy, following a disastrous season in England. The ex-Inter Milan right-back only played 13 games whilst in England, but has been making appearances for the Italian outfit on a regular basis.
He was part of a solid backline last season, a key figure in Roma’s second place finish and has continued his form this season as well. Following a convincing performance against City in the Champions League match this week (apart from the penalty tackle), Maicon will once again be entrusted with another huge responsibility- keeping Juve forward Carlos Tevez in check. The Argentine is currently in great form and will be the biggest threat to the Romans.
Predictions
Both sides have made noteworthy starts to the new campaign, much of which can be ascribed to a well drilled defence. Atleast one of the duo are likely to find the net, as their last goal-less draw was way back in 2001.
Taking the tenacity of the backline of both sides into consideration, a closely contested but not so exciting game may well be on the cards.
Predicted scoreline: Juventus 2-1 AS Roma
