Juventus host Hellas Verona at the Juventus Stadium on Sunday afternoon in Serie A, hoping to win their eighth consecutive game.
After a slow start to the season, the Italian champions have won their last seven Serie A games, catching up with the top, now distant only three points. Massimiliano Allegri wanted his team to have a positive run before the Christmas break to close the gap with the top teams and his players responded perfectly, scoring 17 goals in seven games, conceding just five, and climbing into fourth position.
Hellas Verona on the other hand have won just in the Coppa Italia so far this season, having put together only eight points with eight draws that put them bottom of the league and eight points away from the safe zone. Coach Gigi Delneri said he is convinced Verona will stay in Serie A, but it already seems very difficult.
The latest game between the two sides ended 2-2 in Verona on the final day of last season, with Luca Toni and Juanito Gomez responding to goals by Fernando Llorente and Roberto Pereyra. Last season’s fixture at the Juventus Stadium saw the Vecchia Signora thrash the visitors 4-0 thanks to a wonder goal by Paul Pogba, a Carlos Tevez brace and a Pereyra goal.
The Argentinian midfielder, who scored in both games last season, is unavailable, due to a long lasting injury. He is joined by Mario Mandzukic, Andrea Barzagli and Mario Lemina on the sidelines. Allegri will therefore start Alvaro Morata up front and probably give Daniele Rugani his first start for Juventus in Serie A. Allegri also has the usual decision on the flanks with the duel on the right between Juan Cuadrado and Stephan Lichtsteiner and on the left between Alex Sandro and Patrice Evra.
Delneri won’t be able to count on banned Jacopo Sala or Romulo, who has been out virtually all season. Other than that, Delneri will play with his usual 4-4-2, targetting the heavy attack formed by captain Toni and Giampaolo Pazzini, who scored and appeared in good form in the friendly against Vigasio on Sunday.
Form Guide: Juventus (W-L-W-W-W) Hellas Verona (W-L-D-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs:
Juventus (3-5-2): Buffon; Rugani, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Khedira, Marchisio, Pogba, Alex Sandro; Morata, Dybala.
Hellas Verona (4-4-2): Gollini; Pisano, Bianchetti, Moras, Souprayen; Wszolek, Viviani, Halfredsson, Siligardi; Toni, Pazzini.
