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TURIN, ITALY - DECEMBER 14:  Angelo Ogbonna (L) of Juventus FC competes with Stefano Chuka Okaka of UC Sampdoria during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and UC Sampdoria at Juventus Arena on December 14, 2014 in Turin, Italy.  (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - DECEMBER 14: Angelo Ogbonna (L) of Juventus FC competes with Stefano Chuka Okaka of UC Sampdoria during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and UC Sampdoria at Juventus Arena on December 14, 2014 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Sampdoria vs. Juventus: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV Info

Adam DigbyMay 1, 2015

Having narrowly defeated Fiorentina on Wednesday night, Juventus travel to Genoa to go head-to-head with Sampdoria on Saturday. The Bianconeri need just a single point in order to claim their fourth consecutive Serie A title and will surely be looking to wrap that up before Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid.

Max Allegri is clearly enjoying the full faith of his players, with captain Gigi Buffon telling reporters his feelings about the coach shortly after that win over the Viola, per Juventus' official website:

"

We’re extremely close to crossing the finish line. We’ve done well up until now and even more so this evening, because it wasn’t an easy game considering what we have coming up on Saturday and especially Tuesday.

Allegri’s been a big factor behind our season. He guides us, gives us ideas and manages the group. He inherited a strong squad, but whoever replaced [Antonio] Conte would have had a tough task ahead of them.

"

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With that fixture against Real Madrid on the horizon, Allegri is likely to rotate his starting lineup, with a number of reserve players expected to be given the nod. He told Sky Italia (h/t Football Italiathat he believes those players can deliver: 

“Players like Simone Padoin, Stefano Sturaro, Kingsley Coman and Simone Pepe have proved decisive when coming off the bench. During the course of a campaign, these are the players who become crucial.”

They might not need to be at their best against Sampdoria, who are struggling of late and have failed to win in each of their last five league outings.

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2015

Time: 6 p.m. CET (5 p.m. BST / 12 p.m. ET)

Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin

TV Info: BT Sport 2 (UK), BeIN Sports (U.S. delayed)

Live Stream: BeIn Sports Connect (U.S.)

Form Lines

Last five domestic results:

Fiorentina 2-0 SampdoriaJuventus 2-0 Empoli
Milan 1-1 SampdoriaParma 1-0 Juventus
Sampdoria 0-0 CesenaJuventus 2-0 Lazio
Napoli 4-2 SampdoriaTorino 2-1 Juventus
Sampdoria 1-1 Hellas VeronaJuventus 3-2 Fiorentina

Predicted Lineups

Sampdoria: (4-3-3) Viviano; De Silvestri, Munoz, Romagnoli, Regini; Mesbah, Obiang, Duncan; Eto’o, Okaka, Muriel.

Juventus: (4-3-2-1) Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Marchisio, Padoin, Sturaro; Pereyra; Matri, Llorente.

Player to Watch

Since Sampdoria’s decision to sell Manolo Gabbiadini to Napoli back in January, much of the attacking burden has fallen on Eder. The Brazil-born striker has responded well, recording team highs in both goals and assists, earning a controversial call up to the Italy national team during their last round of fixtures.

Now ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury, Samuel Eto’o will be expected to fill the void for the Genoese side. He has scored just once since arriving from Everton, netting in the 1-1 draw with Milan at San Siro, showing his love for the big occasion remains.

With the Bianconeri coasting their way to a fourth consecutive Serie A title, the former Inter and Barcelona star would relish the chance to spoil the party, and the Juventus defence will need to be aware of him at all times.

Key Battle

Perhaps the most likely area for this game to be won or lost is midfield, where Angelo Palombo can expect a busy afternoon. The Sampdoria captain remains the beating heart of his team, with those around him constantly looking to him for leadership, particularly in difficult matches in which they are in danger of being overrun.

TURIN, ITALY - APRIL 18:  Stefano Sturaro of Juventus FC competes for the ball with Senad Lulic of SS Lazio during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Juventus Arena on April 18, 2015 in Turin, Italy.  (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Image

That could well be the case on Saturday, with Stefano Sturaro expected to start for the Bianconeri as they rest others ahead of the forthcoming match against Real Madrid. As discussed in this previous column, the 22-year-old has been handed a wonderful opportunity with the Bianconeri, and it is one of which he seems determined to take full advantage.

This fixture holds added meaning for Sturaro, who moved the relatively short distance from his childhood home in Sanremo to join Sampdoria’s bitter local rivals, Genoa, back in 2008, so he will enjoy the chance to once again defeat the port city’s other team.

Odds (via Odds Shark)

Away win: 129/100

Home win: 227/100

Draw: 43/20

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