3-0 drubbing of Inter in the Coppa Italia this week.
Winning a 12th game in a row would leave the Vecchia Signora just one behind the club record, though they still have some way to go to reach Inter’s 17 game streak from 2006/07. Meanwhile, the Mussi Volante are struggling for points and have won just once in their last five outings and took a bit of a battering last weekend, losing 4-1 at Lazio.
The Turin side hold a vice-like grip on the previous meetings between the two. This will be the 26th clash between the two, and Chievo have achieved just one victory, when Gennaro Sardo gave them a 1-0 win in 2010. On the other side, Juventus have won 17 of the remaining encounters, including eight at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, and though the meeting in September ended 1-1, it was a first point in seven attempts for Chievo.
Each side will be missing a key member of their defence as Patrice Evra and Bostjan Cesar are suspended, with Alex Sandro and Nicolas Frey set to deputise respectively. However, Rolando Maran will have to worry about injuries as Perparim Hetemaj and Riccardo Meggiorini are both on the treatment table, meaning starts are likely for Giampiero Pinzi and Roberto Inglese.
The Bianconeri are not fully fit themselves, with Mario Mandzukic joining Kwadwo Asamoah as an injury doubt, while Roberto Pereyra and Mario Lemina are both likely to miss out, too.
Gianluigi Buffon, who turned 38 during the week, has conceded 449 goals in all competitions whilst at Juventus, so will be looking to ensure he does not pass a landmark on Sunday.
On the other side, Sergio Pellissier will be hoping a record of his own comes to an end. The veteran striker will be playing his 20th game against Juventus, but has not come out on top of any of the 19 to date, as he was absent for the aforementioned game in 2010.
Meanwhile, Paulo Dybala is currently on 12 goals for the season, just one behind his Serie A best of 13.
Form Guide
Chievo (L-D-W-D-L), Juventus (W-W-W-W-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Chievo: Bizzarri; Frey, Cacciatore, Dainelli, Gobbi; Castro, Radovanovic, Pinzi; Birsa; Paloschi, Inglese.
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Dybala, Morata.
Infographic Source: www.sporticos.com
