Juventus will face AS Roma in the blockbuster Serie A clash of the weekend on Saturday.
Saturday evening in Turin will see a critical clash between two Serie A giants, Juventus and AS Roma, both vying for a place in the top four. While much of the competition is focused on the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia, these two sides will look to make up ground and boost their own ambitions for European football next season.
Juventus come into this match with growing confidence after back-to-back wins in both the Champions League and Serie A. In their most recent league outing, they pulled off an impressive 1-0 win over Bologna at Stadio Dall’Ara, with second-half substitute Juan Cabal heading home the only goal of the match. This victory, combined with their 2-0 win over Pafos in Europe, has revitalised their hopes of progressing in the Champions League while keeping pace in Serie A.
Under Luciano Spalletti, Juventus seem to be hitting their stride, having won two of their last three league games after a rough patch earlier in the season. Sitting fifth in the table, they will look to extend their unbeaten run in home league matches to 12 as they host AS Roma.
Historically, Juventus have dominated at home against Roma, winning 11 of the last 14 encounters in Turin and keeping 10 clean sheets during that period. The Giallorossi, on the other hand, are enjoying a solid season but have struggled to find consistency in recent weeks. After topping the table in late November, they hit a rough patch with two consecutive league losses, both without scoring a goal.
However, they managed to bounce back with a narrow 1-0 win over Como on Monday, thanks to a goal from Brazilian wing-back Wesley. Roma sit fourth in the standings, four points ahead of Juventus, and a win on Saturday would lift them into second place, above Napoli and AC Milan, who are both involved in Supercoppa action.
While Roma’s attacking struggles have been well-documented, they have scored the joint-fewest goals among the top half of the league, their defense has been their saving grace. With only eight goals conceded, AS Roma boast the tightest backline in Serie A, and their away record this calendar year has been impressive, with 12 wins from 17 matches.
This solid defence will be crucial in a match where they face a Juventus side looking to continue their attacking revival. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how the clubs could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Juventus
Juventus continue to face significant defensive challenges heading into Saturday’s clash. Federico Gatti remains sidelined due to injury, while fellow centre-backs Daniele Rugani and Bremer are only just returning from layoffs.
Bremer, sorely missed in recent months, could be called upon to start in this match, providing a welcome boost to a defence that has been relying on makeshift options. Teun Koopmeiners, who has been filling in at centre-back, is unavailable for selection due to a suspension, further complicating Juventus’s defensive setup.
In attack, Juventus also face a shortage of options, with Dusan Vlahovic still out with injury. This leaves either Lois Openda or Jonathan David to lead the line, with David having recently ended a goal drought in the Champions League.
However, he is enduring his longest goalless streak in league football since moving to Europe, having not scored in 13 consecutive Serie A games. Kenan Yildiz, who provided the assist for Juan Cabal’s match-winning goal last week, will again support the lone striker as Juventus look for a spark in the final third.
Tactically, Juventus are likely to adopt a 3-4-2-1 formation to bolster their defensive resilience while maintaining fluidity in attack. Michele Di Gregorio should start in goal, with a back three comprising Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, and Lloyd Kelly.
The midfield will feature Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli as central midfielders, while Khephren Thuram and Andrea Cambiaso will occupy the wing-back roles, providing width and covering both defensive and offensive duties. Finally, Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao will operate as the creators alongside the striker, with Jonathan David leading the attack.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; David
AS Roma
AS Roma face a number of challenges heading into this key fixture against Juventus, particularly in attack and defence. Evan Ferguson and star player Paulo Dybala have struggled for form this season, with Dybala notably having his worst-ever start to a top-flight campaign, having scored just once in Serie A.
The Argentine’s usual creative and goal-scoring contributions have been limited, leaving Roma searching for more consistency up front. Matias Soule, the former Juventus player, is likely to start in the final third, providing some much-needed creativity and energy. Soule has been one of Roma’s key contributors this season, ranking just behind Kenan Yildiz and Nico Paz for combined shots taken and chances created.
Roma are also dealing with injury concerns. Artem Dovbyk is expected to be back in contention after recovering from injury, but the club will still be without Neil El Aynaoui and key defender Evan Ndicka, who are both heading to the Africa Cup of Nations. These absences in key positions will test Roma’s depth and defensive options, particularly against a Juventus side that can be dangerous on the break.
Roma are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, prioritising defensive solidity and fluidity in attack. Mile Svilar should start in goal, with a back three comprising Zeki Celik, Gianluca Mancini, and Mario Hermoso providing a strong foundation. In midfield, Manu Kone, and Bryan Cristante will likely form the central duo, offering both defensive cover and the ability to link play forward.
The wing-back roles should be filled by Devyne Rensch and Wesley. In attack, Matias Soule is expected to provide creativity and directness alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini, who will continue to orchestrate play in a more advanced role. Evan Ferguson will lead the line as the central striker, aiming to break his scoring drought and provide Roma with a much-needed attacking threat.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Hermoso; Wesley, Kone, Cristante, Rensch; Soule, Pellegrini; Ferguson
Key Stats
- Juventus have won 11 of their last 14 Serie A meetings against AS Roma at home, keeping ten clean sheets during that period.
- AS Roma have won 12 of their last 17 away matches in Serie A, showing strong form on the road, although they have struggled in recent encounters with top-tier teams.
- Paulo Dybala has scored just once in Serie A this season, marking his worst start to a top-flight campaign since moving to Europe.
- Juventus have conceded just one goal in their last three Serie A matches.
- AS Roma have scored just 16 goals in Serie A this season, the fewest among teams in the top half of the table.
Player to Watch
Jonathan David
Jonathan David is poised to be a key figure for AS Roma in this crucial fixture against Juventus. The Canadian striker has been enduring a lean spell in Serie A, with his longest goalless run since moving to Europe stretching to 13 matches. However, his experience in European competitions, coupled with his ability to break down defensive lines, makes him a potent threat when Roma need a spark.
David’s movement off the ball, ability to link up with attacking midfielders like Lorenzo Pellegrini, and clinical finishing in the box are all elements that Roma will rely on to break Juventus’ resilient defence.
Given the absence of consistent goal-scoring options for AS Roma this season, David’s presence in the final third could prove decisive, particularly in a match where moments of quality and clinical finishing are likely to determine the outcome. If he can regain his form, David will be crucial in providing the firepower needed to challenge Juventus on their home turf.
Prediction
Juventus 2-1 AS Roma
Juventus’s solid home record and recent defensive improvements give them the edge in this encounter. While AS Roma will put up a strong fight, particularly with the attacking potential of David, the home side’s depth and attacking options should ultimately prevail.
A closely contested match is expected, but Juventus’ ability to control key moments and capitalise on Roma’s attacking struggles will see them edge a narrow victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Luciano Spalletti and his charges.
