Cagliari are looking to snap out of a recent slump when they host in-form Juventus in an Italian Serie A fixture at Unipol Domus.
The hosts have found things difficult at home lately, while the visitors are flying high at the moment and making a title push.
Cagliari are in the middle of a rough patch at the moment and are winless in five of their last six matches. They were beaten 3-0 at Genoa last time out in Serie A, a result that leaves them 16th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Manager Fabio Pisacane will be keen to get their campaign back on track and put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three. However, their recent home form has been unconvincing, having failed to win six of their last seven matches at Unipol Domus, losing four times on this run.
In contrast to Cagliari’s struggles, Juventus have been flying high lately and are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches across all competitions. Luciano Spalletti's men have picked up eight wins on this run, including a 5-0 home victory last time out in Serie A.
Juventus are slowly playing themselves into the title race as they sit just seven points behind leaders Inter Milan. The Turin club have also caught the eye on their recent travels, winning four of their last five away matches.
How the bookies view it: Smooth sailing for Turin club
Juventus have been installed as overwhelming favourites and are priced at 1/2 by bet365. Cagliari are outsiders at home at 5/1 by William Hill, while a draw is set at odds of 10/3 by bet365.
Head to head: Juventus on top
Juventus have a 28-3 advantage with eight draws in the last 39 matches against Cagliari. The Turin club claimed a 2-1 home victory when both teams met in the reverse fixture back in November.
Players to watch: Yildiz the catalyst
Kenan Yildiz is the leading scorer for Juventus and has found the net seven times in Serie A this season. The forward is often involved in much of the Turin club’s attacking moves and will be the one to watch (Kenan Yildiz anytime goalscorer – priced at 7/4 by Paddy Power.
Juventus have also been solid at the back lately, keeping clean sheets in their last three away matches. Gleison Bremer has impressed lately and will be keen to lead the Turin club to a similar outcome (Juventus clean sheet – offered at 19/20 by William Hill).
Probable line-ups:
Cagliari are without Michael Folorunsho, Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti, who are all sidelined with injury. Defender Riyad Idrissi could earn a start after making a second-half appearance last time out, while Zito Luvumbo is set to feature in attack.
Dusan Vlahovic, Arkadiusz Milik and Daniele Rugani are all set to miss out for Juventus due to injury. Jonathan David should lead the line, with Yildiz providing support.
Cagliari: Caprile, Palestra, Idrissi, Luperto, Obert, Adopo, Prati, Mazzitelli, Luvumbo, Kilicsoy, Esposito.
Juventus: Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso, Miretti, Yildiz, David.
Anything else catch the eye?
Juventus have scored over 1.5 goals in four of their last five matches (Juventus over 1.5 goals – valued at 11/10 with Paddy Power). The visitors have won by two or more goals in three of their last four fixtures (Juventus over -1 handicap – set at odds of 6/4 with Betfred).
The Turin club have also won to nil in their last three away matches (Juventus win to nil – priced at 7/5 with William Hill).
When one side looks too strong, a handicap bet can even things up. Learn how in our Handicap Betting Masterclass.
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