Juventus vs Roma preview

October 4, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Juventus vs RomaMany pundits believe Juventus and Roma are the only serious candidates for the Serie A trophy this season, meaning there will be a lot at stake when the two sides square off in Turin on Sunday afternoon.

While the Bianconeri enjoyed a 3-0 triumph in the same fixture last term, chances are this will be a much closer encounter, with the Giallorossi on top of their game at the moment.

Even if some will be quick to point out that he has inherited a great squad from Antonio Conte, the reality is Max Allegri has done what not too many people believed he was capable of.

The former Milan boss picked up where Conte left off in spite of some changes in the squad and the fact that playmaker Andre Pirlo missed the start of the season.

Juventus started the new campaign with six straight wins in which they failed to concede a single goal, although the excellent run came to an end in midweek.

The Bianconeri suffered a 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid at Vicente Calderon, but they are 1.95 (19/20) for an instant return to winning ways.

Andrea Pirlo could be back in contention, but he is highly unlikely to start, while Alvaro Morata and Martin Caceres also face fitness tests.

Andrea Barzagli, Romulo and Luca Marrone are out injured, but Kwadwo Asamoah could come in for Patrice Evra on the left flank.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Buffon – Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini – Lichtsteiner, Pogba, Marchisio, Vidal, Asamoah – Tevez, Llorente.

Everybody in Italy was impressed with how Rudi Garcia quickly turned Roma into genuine title contenders and the Frenchman has never looked back.

After failing to keep up with outstanding Juventus last term, the Giallorossi have a much better chance this season and they currently trail their rivals by virtue of goal difference alone.

Roma were just as impressive as their next opponents in the opening exchanges, winning five straight league games while conceding just one goal and they are 4.65 (73/20) to continue in the same manner.

After becoming the competition’s oldest goalscorer by netting a beautiful goal in the Champions League clash against Manchester City, evergreen Francesco Totti is 4.33 (10/3) to score in Turin.

First choice keeper Morgan De Sanctis is a major doubt with a muscle problem, with Lukasz Skorupski widely expected to deputize.

Juan Manuel Iturbe and Radja Nainggolan should be in contention, but Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman, Davide Astori, Leandro Castan, Federico Balzaretti and Marco Borriello continue to miss out.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Skorupski – Maicon, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Cole – Nainggolan, Keita, Pjanic – Florenzi, Totti, Gervinho.

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