Juventus continue their push for the European places as they host Cagliari in an Italian Serie A fixture. The Turin club are unbeaten under their new manager while the visitors have struggled in recent weeks.
Juventus have shown flashes of quality since the appointment of Luciano Spalletti, having gone unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions. They were held to a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina in their previous Serie A fixture before earning a 3-2 away victory at Bodo/Glimt in a midweek UEFA Champions League clash.
Having been on the road in the last two matches, Juventus are back at Allianz Stadium, where they are unbeaten in all competitions this season. However, they will need to turn the recent string of draws into wins, having been held in five of their last six matches in front of their fans.
Meanwhile, Cagliari have struggled to find their best form lately and are winless in their last eight Serie A matches. They were held to a 3-3 home draw by Genoa in their previous fixture and are currently in the bottom half of the table, just three points above the relegation zone.
Cagliari will be desperate to get back to winning ways, but head to Turin with a poor record on their travels. Fabio Pisacane's men are winless in five of their last six away matches.
How the bookies view it: Juventus overwhelming favourites
Juventus have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 1/3 by William Hill to claim the win. A victory for Cagliari is valued at 11/1 by bet365, while a draw is set at odds of 4/1 by Paddy Power.
Head to head: Juventus on top
Juventus have a 27-3 advantage, with eight draws in the last 38 matches against Cagliari. The Turin club were unbeaten in this clash last season, claiming a 1-0 away victory in the last meeting back in February.
Players to watch: Vlahovic is Cagliari's nemesis
Dusan Vlahovic has a good scoring record in this fixture and was on target in all three matches against Cagliari last season. The Serbian striker will be keen to add to his three Serie A goals this term (Dusan Vlahovic anytime goalscorer – priced at 23/20 by Ladbrokes).
Gennaro Borrelli often leads the line for Cagliari and is coming off a brace in the draw with Genoa. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on (Gennaro Borrelli anytime goalscorer – valued at 11/2 by Paddy Power).
Probable line-ups:
Juventus are likely to be without Daniele Rugani and Federico Gatti, who are currently nursing injuries. Vlahovic was an unused substitute in the Champions League and should return to the team, while Kenan Yildiz is also set to start after coming off the bench in midweek.
Cagliari have injury problems, with Andrea Belotti likely to miss out alongside Alessandro Deiola and Pedro Jose. Borrelli should continue in attack while Yerry Mina is set to line up at the back.
Juventus: Di Gregorio, Kalulu, Kelly, Koopmeiners, McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso, Conceicao, Yildiz, Vlahovic.
Cagliari: Caprile, Zappa, Mina, Luperto, Palestra, Gaetano, Prati, Folorunsho, Felici, Esposito, Borrelli.
Anything else catch the eye?
Juventus and Cagliari have both scored in four of their last six meetings (BTTS YES – offered at 11/8 with Betfred). Three of the visitors’ last five matches have produced over 2.5 goals – available at odds of 10/11 by bet365.
The Turin club have led at the break in two of their last three Serie A matches (Juventus halftime win – set at odds of 5/6 with Ladbrokes). With the hosts priced at minimal odds for a straight victory, a win and over 2.5 goals offers more value (Juventus win & over 2.5 goals – valued at 23/20 by Betfred).
Think both teams will find the net? Our BTTS Masterclass explains how to spot the fixtures where goals are a given.
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