How Juventus Will Line Up Against Livorno

Juventus return to Serie A action this week after the international break with an encounter against newcomers Livorno.

The Bianconeri have recovered magnificently from back-to-back defeats to Fiorentina and Real Madrid, with a fine run of form that has seen them close the gap at the top of the table to one point, as well as turn their Champions League destiny in their favour.

With such a high-quality squad, the Old Lady have many doubts and absentees through injury and suspension.

Antonio Conte will definitely be without Leonardo Bonucci and Angelo Ogbonna, both of who are suspended.

Several other players have fitness concerns, including Stephan Lichtsteiner and Simone Pepe, who have both been out for several weeks through injury.

Mauricio Isla appears to have had a setback in his return to fitness and seems sure to miss out this weekend, while Claudio Marchisio is nursing a minor knock since returning from Azzurri duty.

Giorgio Chiellini and Mirko Vucinic were both absent from the Napoli win before the break, and both players seem ready to return to the fold, easing Conte's concerns about his ever-decreasing options in the squad.

It appears as if Conte may continue to experiment with the 4-3-3 that was used in both Champions League ties with Real Madrid, perhaps in preparation for their European match next week with Copenhagen.

This would mean that Martin Caceres and Paolo De Ceglie would operate as full-backs, with Andrea Barzagli and the returning Chiellini completing the back four.

The undroppable midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal will continue, no matter the formation chosen by the Mister.

This would mean that Marchisio has an opportunity to start once more in a more advanced right-wing position, supporting in tandem with Vucinic from the left and Carlos Tevez through the centre.

This, in contrast to the previous occasions that Conte used the 4-3-3, would mean a small front line, with Fernando Llorente missing out, although this could be linked to his international involvement with Spain and potential fatigue from long-haul travelling.

If Vucinic is not quite ready to start immediately after regaining match fitness, Fabio Quagliarella would come in, shifting Tevez to the left flank.

The Bianconeri will be hoping to win their fifth consecutive Serie A match and temporarily move to the top of the table, with Roma playing later in the weekend.

Expected line-up: Gianluigi Buffon; Martin Caceres, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Paolo De Ceglie; Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal; Claudio Marchisio, Carlos Tevez, Mirko Vucinic.