Serie A Preview: Juventus Host Struggling Roma

It’s time for another classic fixture this Saturday as Juventus entertain Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin. Juventus grabbed maximum points after a free kick stunner from Del Piero in the corresponding fixture last season.

Juventus looks to have found their winning ways while Roma still remain in crisis. The Giallorossi’s midweek clash against Sampdoria was abandoned due to heavy rainfall, perhaps a blessing in disguise for Spalletti’s men?

Juventus

Juventus crisis seem to get further away as the club collected their third consecutive win on their midweek trip to Bologna. Nedved bagged a double – earning his side all three points – putting them up one spot to ninth. The Czech’s fabulous form this season has also prompted speculation over a contract extension.

The list of injured players is still alarmingly high as Buffon, Andrade, Salihamidzic, Trezeguet, Zebina, Knezevic, Marchisio, De Ceglie and Poulsen are all ruled out – with the latter two scheduled for returns next week against Chievo.

Tiago was handed his first starting shirt this season and did a fine job – especially considering that the midfielder only made one full training with the team prior to the game after returning from injury.

Chiellini continues to look solid in the defense and Sissoko seem to grow for every passing game. The same can’t be said for Molinaro and Knezevic as the duo stood for shaky performances last time – with the latter picking up an injury as well. Knezevis’s place will be taken by Legrottaglie – who along with Del Piero were rested by Ranieri last Wednesday.

The partnership between Amauri and Iaquinta looked anything but solid against Bologna. Del Piero is back from start again to partner Amaruri – pushing Iaquinta to the bench.

Camoranesi has made a full recovery and is expected to be handed a starting shirt, whereas Zanetti participation will be determined by a late fitness test.

Juventus are five points adrift the top and is hoping to carry on with their impressive run to continue the climb up the chart.

Probable Starting XI: Manninger, Grygera, Chiellini, Legrottaglie, Molinaro, Camoranesi, Sissoko, Marhionni, Nedved, Del Piero, Amauri.

Roma

The clash between Roma and Sampdoria had to be abandoned five into the game due to heavy rainfall and flooded pitch. Perhaps not the worst thing as the players had more time to rest and recover.

The Giallorossi comes into the game with four back to back defeats – in all competition – and to say that they are lacking confidence is probably an understatement. The team has produced only nine goals and conceded fifteen along the way.

The fact that Spalletti’s hugely successful 4-2-3-1 is no longer working is painfully obvious – with the exception being to Spalletti himself. The Roma tactician has hinted that a change might be in the cards – whether or not that happens remain to be seen.

Roma stood for one of their better performances against Chelsea in the Champions League despite the defeat at Stamford Bridge. This was however a rare sight as the same players then went on to be thrashed by Udinese in their following game.

A major setback for Spalletti and the rest of the squad is that Totti’s ongoing knee problems will keep him out of the trip to Turin.

Both Aquilani and Cassetti are uncertain for the game, but Spalletti will have Baptista back at his disposal.

Mexes and Vucinic are back in the Giallorossi shirt as their suspension applies to the Sampdoria game that will be played after the turn of the year.

Roma will be desperate to grab points in order to try and pull out of the crisis as they currently stand one point short of the relegation spot.  

Probable Starting XI: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Juan, Tonetto, De Rossi, Pizzaro, Taddei, Menez, Perrotta, Vucinic.