Juventus are seeking to strengthen their grip on third place and win their 18th straight game without defeat against local rivals Torino.
Torino are not too far away from securing European qualification, but their current position in ninth does make them outsiders as they get set to take on Juventus in the derby. Napoli occupy the last continental berth but are only four points away from Ivan Juric’s side, who have to come back into top form in the late-season run-in.
Last weekend, they contested an entertaining clash against Empoli, with Duvan Zapata equalising at the death, only for Torino to throw away that point to allow the home side to snatch a late winner in the end. It was a bitter blow to their European hopes, although there was still plenty of time for a revival.
Heading into Saturday, Torino have an extensive record to clear with their abysmal form against local rivals Juventus. Home or away, the Granata have been terrible against the Bianconeri, who are looking to make it an 18th game without defeat against Juric’s side.
Juventus are the fallen giants of Serie A this season after building up plenty of promise until a couple of months ago. The fall from grace has been terrific for the neutrals to watch as Massimiliano Allegri’s men emphatically bowed out of the title race despite going neck-to-neck with Inter Milan.
Over the last few weeks, they have capitulated further by losing second place to AC Milan, who have since opened up a six-point gap over the Bianconeri. Hence, for Allegri, it is imperative to keep hold of that third spot and possibly even hope that Milan slip up and let them re-enter the race for second spot once again.
In terms of results, Juventus has turned a corner after winning back-to-back in all competitions. Last weekend, they triumphed over Fiorentina with a narrow 1-0 scoreline, courtesy of a first-half strike from Federico Gatti. Allegri will hope for more results but in a more convincing manner.
Team News & Tactics
Torino
Despite Torino losing late against Empoli, Ivan Juric is not expected to make any changes to his lineup. There are no serious fitness concerns with his squad, as Torino continue to miss at least four of their stars.
Perr Schuurs, Koffi Djidji, Gvidas Gineitis, and Pietro Pellegri have been missing for some time and will continue to be sidelined for the upcoming weekend. Juric will continue to deploy three at the back, with Adrien Tameze, Alessandro Buongiorno, and Ricardo Rodriguez preferred in central defensive trifecta.
Raoul Bellanova and Mergim Vojvoda are the likely choices for the wing-back roles on either flank. Squeezed between them in central midfield, Samuele Ricci and Karol Linetty will take their places. Nikola Vlasic will continue to play in that attacking role behind the front two of Zapata and Antonio Sanabria.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Milinkovic-Savic; Tameze, Buongiorno, Rodriguez; Bellanova, Ricci, Linetty, Vojvoda; Vlasic; Zapata, Sanabria
Juventus
Much like his counterpart in the Torino dugout, Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is expected to make no changes from the win over Empoli. Arkadiusz Milik remains the only notable absentee from the Bianconeri squad, with the manager having his other players fit and available for action.
Their goalscorer and match-winner against Fiorentina, Federico Gatti, will feature in the back three alongside former Torino man Gleison Bremer and Danilo. On the wings, Andrea Cambiaso and Filip Kostic are the likely choices for Allegri, with a midfield three of Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabio, and Weston McKennie sandwiched between the wing-backs.
Dusan Vlahovic, eager to make a significant mark on proceedings, will lead the line for Juventus alongside Federico Chiesa, who has hit a good vein of late.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Vlahovic, Chiesa
Key Stats
- Torino have lost five of their last six derbies with a 1-0 scoreline.
- Duvan Zapata has previously scored six times in 16 matches against Juventus
- Juventus have won 22 of their last 27 games against Torino in all competitions.
- Juventus have drawn at half-time and won at full-time in five of their last seven away matches against Torino in all competitions.
- Juventus have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six away matches against Torino in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Federico Chiesa
Chiesa has been in good form lately, and these games against Torino will let him showcase his class. The attacker needs to have a good end to the season following what has been a dismal campaign for his club, Juventus.
The targets for Juventus could be better on viewing. But returning to the UEFA Champions League will provide the club with a big boost, although they will want to finish as high as possible. Hence, players like Chiesa may need to hit top form and help their club return to creating winning streaks, starting with the derby against Torino.
Prediction
Torino 0-1 Juventus
The Bianconeri have been in good form against their local rivals, although they need to improve their current form, home or away. This clash against Torino is very important from Massimiliano Allegri’s perspective, and he will demand a win without paying too much attention to the final scoreline.
Torino have not had a good record against Juventus, especially at home, but these encounters here have always had the cagey feeling to it. Once again, going by the form of these two sides, one can expect a narrow ending to this clash, with the Bianconeri likely to come away with three precious points.
