Juventus Can Clinch Title at Roma
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Defending Serie A champions Juventus travel to the Italian capital on Sunday night to play Roma, knowing that a single point will be enough to see them retain their title.
Roma know that with only three matches left this season, it would take a miracle for them to win the league, even if they defeat Juventus in this match. Therefore, they are pushing to secure second place in the table and secure an automatic group stage spot in the Champions League next season.
Roma have just a single point lead over third place Napoli and know any dropped points in this game could see Maurizio Sarri’s team move ahead of the Giallorossi with just two matches remaining.
Luciano Spalletti knows a win in this match will relieve some of the pressure going into the final two games of the season but trends show Roma have been inconsistent of late. Two wins, one draw and one defeat from their last four games has come in contrast to a brilliant run of form prior to the 1-1 home draw with Atalanta.
Roma were on a six-match unbeaten run in all competitions before being held at the Stadio Olimpico by Atalanta but worse was to come against local rivals Lazio. A 3-1 defeat to Lazio at the end of April all but ended any hopes Roma had of winning Serie A this season but they did respond well with a good 4-1 victory over AC Milan at the San Siro last week.
Roma have lost only one of their previous eight Serie A matches and three of the last eighteen. At home, they have won two of the last five in the league but have suffered just two home defeats in Serie A this season.
Juventus know a point will be enough to see the Scudetto return to Turin. Max Allegri’s team are in a very confident mood following their qualification for the Champions League final and know they would be able to rest key players ahead of that match, by picking up a point or winning this one.
Trends show the Old Lady are undefeated in their last nine matches in all competitions and in their previous sixteen in Serie A. They are also undefeated in their last eight away Serie A games, including three draws at Udinese, Napoli and Atalanta. Juventus have also drawn their last two league games, the most recent being at home to Torino.
Roma are without injured top scorer Edin Dzeko and Alessandro Florenzi plus Kevin Strootman is suspended following his dive in the Rome derby. Juventus are without the injured Sami Khedira and there are doubts over Claudio Marchisio, which could leave them short in the centre of the pitch. Gonzalo Higuain also has a knock and may be rested.
Even with the upcoming Champions League final, Allegri cannot afford to take any risks in Serie A and will want to have the title wrapped up this weekend. Expect him to go with a strong starting XI, good enough to get the job done.
Roma have been struggling of late and if their performance in the Rome derby is anything to go by, they will find this match tough. Without Serie A’s top scorer Edin Dzeko available, goals are going to be difficult to come by and Juventus could come away with a win to nil and secure the Serie A title once more.
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