Juventus will be hoping to put their mid-week disappointment behind them as they take on city rivals Torino in the Derby della Mole at the Juventus Stadium.
The Bianconeri lost once again in midweek, as they were beaten 1-0 at Sassuolo. The Neroverdi won on Wednesday night thanks to a superb Nicola Sansone free kick with matter made worse for Juve after Giorgio Chiellini was sent off in the first half. Juve had appeared to have turned a corner, having been on a three game unbeaten run in Serie A.
After the Sassuolo defeat, however, Juve are in 12th place in Serie A with just 12 points from ten matches. Juve will though be aiming to continue their fine home record, with the Bianconeri having only lost once in their last 38 home matches in Serie A.
Torino also come into the game off the back off a disappointing result. Il Toro thought they had beaten Genoa, with a late Panagiotis Tachtsidis own goal, giving Torino the lead at 3-2 in the 89th minute. But in injury time Genoa levelled through Diego Laxalt leaving Torino without a win in four Serie A games. With the game against Juventus being played at the Juventus Stadium, Torino will be hoping to improve their away form, having have lost their last three away matches in Serie A. Il Toro do, however, go into the derby higher in Serie A then Juventus for the first time in 22 years with the Granata two places and three points better off than their city rivals.
Juventus have had the edge over Torino in recent games between the two sides, winning five of the last six derbies. The Bianconeri have a formidable home record against Torino having won their last four home matches against them in all competitions. Juve won the last meeting at the Juventus stadium 2-1 thanks to a last minute winner from Andrea Pirlo despite having Stephan Lichtsteiner sent off in the second half.
When the two team met last, however, it was Torino who came out on top 2-1 to secure their first win over Juve in 20 years. The drought was ended thanks to goals from current Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian and ex Juventus striker Fabio Quagliarella.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri will be without injured trio Roberto Pereyra, Kwadwo Asamoah and Lichtsteiner for the Torino game. Chiellini will also miss out as he serves his suspension for the red card he picked up against Sassuolo.
Torino are still missing a host of first time players such as Joel Obi, Danilo Avelar and Nikola Maksimovic due to injury. After his goal and fine performance against Genoa, Davide Zappacosta will be hoping to hold onto his starting position at right wing-back amidst competition from Bruno Peres.
Form Guide: Juventus (W-D-D-W-L) Torino (W-L-D-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Juventus: Buffon; Padoin, Barzagli, Bonucci, Evra; Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba; Cuadrado, Mandzukic, Morata
Torino: Padelli; Bovo, Glik, Moretti; Peres, Benassi, Vives, Baselli, Molinaro; Quagliarella, Maxi Lopez
Infographic from www.sporticos.com
