Reigning Italian champions Juventus host rivals AS Roma in Serie A this weekend, with the home side looking to potentially leapfrog league leaders Napoli with a win in their final clash of 2017. However, with their opponents having lost just twice all season, it promises to be one of the games of the campaign so far on Saturday evening.
Serie A – Allianz Stadium, Turin – Saturday 23rd December – 19:45 UK Time
|
Draw Best Odd of: 13/5 at Ladbrokes |
|
Juventus
RomaJuventus vs Roma Match Preview
Juventus host Roma in Turin this weekend, with just three points separating the duo in the Serie A standings in the build-up to kick-off. With the likes of Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain, Edin Dzeko and Kevin Strootman set to take to the field, many are predicting a close encounter at the Allianz Stadium, with a lot riding on the match. For those still unsure of who to back, be sure to check out our top betting tip below. However, let’s first take a closer look at the two teams, starting with the home side.
Juventus Team News & Form
Juventus come into the clash off the back of a comfortable 3-0 away win over Bologna, as well as a Coppa Italia success over Genoa. Manager Massimo Allegri has some major decisions over his starting elven to make, with Paulo Dybala having reportedly fallen out with the Italian over recent weeks. However, the Argentine attacker could well link up with Gonzalo Higuain, while the likes of Sami Khedira and Blaise Matuidi are also in line to start. Meanwhile, former Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic will be looking to get one over on his old team mates. Juventus have the best goalscoring record in Serie A this season, having scored 44 goals in just 16 matches.
Roma Team News & Form
Despite crashing out of the Coppa Italia to Torino in midweek, Roma are on a run of five matches unbeaten in Serie A, leaving them in fourth position in the standings, five points clear of their closest rival. Manager Eusebio Di Francesco will be looking for a response from his team having rested many of his big names against Torino, with the likes of Radja Nainggolan and Diego Perotti expected to be named in the starting eleven for the visitors. Roma have the best defensive record in Serie A having conceded just 10 goals from their 16 matches.
Head to Head
The two teams have met 33 times in the past, with Juventus having won 19 of such meetings, as well as registering six draws. Both teams registered home victories in their two meetings last season, including a 3-1 success for Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
Juventus vs Roma Betting Odds and Predictions
Given their position in the standings and their status as the home team this weekend, it comes as little surprise that it is Juventus who are the favourites for victory with the bookmakers. Those looking to back the home side can take advantage of odds of 5/6 with Ladbrokes, while the visitors are available at odds of 10/3 with the same bookmaker.
Top Betting Tip Juventus vs Roma
However, our top betting tip for the match is to bet on both teams scoring during the 90 minutes, which is available at odds 10/11 ahead of kick-off at Paddy Power.