Juventus to Continue Title Challenge with a Win
cristiano barni / Shutterstock.com
As Inter Milan have been faltering in Serie A, it has been left to Juventus to challenge Napoli for the Serie A title this season.
Max Allegri’s team start the weekend sitting second in Serie A and are in no danger of dropping any lower regardless of the result in this match against Genoa. However, with Napoli playing at Atalanta, there is a chance they could drop points and Juventus must take advantage with a win.
Genoa are in 14th place with 21 points and that leaves them 6 points clear of the relegation zone. The highest they could move is up to is 12th place with a win but a defeat could see them drop down to 16th in Serie A.
Trends show Juventus come into this match having won their last four Serie A games. There have been wins at Hellas Verona, Cagliari and Bologna plus a home victory against Roma. Prior to those four wins, Juventus were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Inter Milan.
Juventus have been difficult to beat in recent games and have lost only one of their last twelve matches in Serie A, which came at Sampdoria on the 19th November. This was one of only two defeats in Serie A this season, with the other coming at home against Lazio.
Juventus have kept a clean sheet in their last three home Serie A games and have conceded only 4 goals in their ten home league games this season.
Genoa travel to Turin having remained undefeated in their last three Serie A games. They have defeated Benevento and Sassuolo at home and picked up a 0-0 draw at Torino. This run of results has seen them move clear of the relegation zone.
Trends show Genoa have lost just one of their last eight Serie A games and have kept a clean sheet in each of their last four on the road. There defence has played a very important role in their recent away performances and Genoa have picked up 8 points from the last possible 12, despite having scored only 2 goals.
Although their recent form has been good, trends show Genoa have won only four of their last twenty-six away league games and have lost on each of their last five visits to Juventus.
Team news and Juventus have several first team players on the treatment table including Paulo Dybala, Juan Cuadrado, Gianluigi Buffon, Claudio Marchisio and Benedikt Howedes. Brazilian winger Diego Costa could start in attack with Gonzalo Higuain and Mario Mandzukic.
Genoa will travel without defender Ervin Zukanovic who is suspended and Luca Rossettini is expected to come into the back three. Adel Taarabt has returned to full fitness and should start the match playing just off the striker.
Juventus cannot afford to drop more points as they attempt to move to the top of Serie A. They have some key players missing for this match but still have the quality in their starting XI to see off Genoa at home, without conceding a goal.
Home
Football 
Basketball
Hockey
American Football
Baseball
Rugby
Volleyball
Handball
Esoccer
