Juventus can inch closer to their ninth consecutive Serie A title as they head to Sassuolo on Wednesday night.
With eight points separating them from second-placed Lazio, the Bianconeri are within touching distance of another Scudetto. The Old Lady were fortunate to come away with a draw against Atalanta on Saturday and the midweek clash with Sassuolo offers them the opportunity to return to winning ways.
However, the Neroverdi could prove to be a tricky adversary. Roberto De Zerbi’s side are enjoying late burst of form in the league, defeating Lazio 1-2 in their most recent outing, as they continue on their hunt for Europa League qualification.
When is Kick Off? Wednesday 11 July
What Time is Kick Off? 20:45 (BST)
Where it it Played? Allianz Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? Premier Sports 1 (UK), LiveScore
The hosts will be without striker Gregoire Defrel who sidelined with a facial injury. Defender Filippo Romagna is a long-term absentee having picked up a knee injury. Former West Ham man Pedro Obiang has is recovering from a muscular injury and is unlikely to feature.
For the visitors, Matteo De Sciglio and Sami Khedira are both out with thigh injuries. Turkish centre back Merih Demiral has returned to first team training after seven months on the sidelines, but it is unlikely he will feature on Wednesday night. Juan Cuadrado will miss out through suspension meaning Alex Sandro will likely start the match at left back, with Danilo moving back to his familiar right side.
Sassuolo: Consigli; Muldur, Ferrari, Chiriches, Rogerio; Magnanelli, Locatelli; Berardi, Djuricic, Boga; Caputo.
Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo, de Ligt, Bonucci, Sandro; Rabiot, Pjanic, Bentancur; Bernardeschi, Dybala, Ronaldo.
They’ve left it late but eighth-placed Sassuolo are flying at the moment. The Neroverdi are unbeaten in their previous six Serie A outings. De Zerbi’s side have won four games on the bounce and are chasing down fellow high-flyers Milan who lie four points ahead in seventh.
Uncharacteristically, Juve have gone two Serie A matches without a win. Their recent dip in form has went unpunished thanks to the capitulation of fellow title contenders Lazio.
The Bianconeri’s usually stellar defence has been pummelled of recent, a resurgent Milan side hit a whopping four past them, whilst Atalanta struck twice at the weekend. Sarri’s side have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four outings, a worrying prospect as they head to Sassuolo – a side that has scored 18 goals since the return.
Here’s a look at how both teams have fared in their last five outings.
Sassuolo
Lazio 1-2 Sassuolo (11/7)
Bologna 1-2 Sassuolo (8/7)
Sassuolo 4-2 Lecce (4/7)
Fiorentina 1-3 Sassuolo (1/7)
Sassuolo 3-3 Verona (28/6)
Juventus
Juventus 2-2 Atalanta (11/7)
AC Milan 4-2 Juventus (7/7)
Juventus 4-1 Torino (4/7)
Genoa 1-3 Juventus (30/6)
Juventus 4-0 Lecce (26/6)
Juventus have lost just once to Sassuolo in their history, though this Neroverdi side is a different animal of late. De Zerbi has his players looking motivated and determined to finish the season as strongly as possible.
The Bianconeri looked flat against Milan and Atalanta, complacency is looking to have sunk in to some extent, don’t be surprised to see Sassuolo capitalise.
Prediction: Sassuolo 2-2 Juventus
Let’