Juventus
Spezia
2 March 2021
19:45 UK/ 20:45 CET
Serie A
Allianz Stadium
After dropping two points in a 1-1 draw with Hellas Verona, Juventus will be looking to keep their Scudetto hopes alive when they host Spezia at their Allianz Stadium.
The Bianconeri are ten points behind league leaders Inter, meaning that this has to go down as a must-win game for Cristiano Ronaldo and Co.
All Arthur, Dybala, Bonucci, Chiellini, and Cuadrado are likely to miss the game through injuries.
Spezia, on the other hand, are on the right track to secure the Serie A survival, but they will have to be at their sharpest in the remainder of the season if they are to meet the goal.
Vincenzo Italiano’s troops have been producing fine displays on the travels this season, but given the importance of the match for Andrea Pirlo’s troops, home win should be considered.
The likes of Rafael, Pobega, and Saponara are sidelined with injuries for the visitors.
FC Juventus vs Spezia Head-to-head
Teams Juventus Spezia played so far 3 matches.
Juventus won 1 direct matches. Spezia won 1 matches. 1 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 4.00 goals per Match.
FC Juventus vs Spezia Prediction
Juventus in actual season average scored 2.06 goals per match. In 16 (94.12%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 10 (58.82%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Spezia average scored 1.64 goals per match in season 2021. In 14 (93.33%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 12 (80.00%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Injury-plagued Paulo Dybala remains out of action for the hosts with an ongoing knee ligament issue, having flown to Barcelona to visit a specialist last week. The forward's absence is just the tip of the iceberg for Juventus, as Andrea Pirlo's defensive emergency continues.
Mainstays Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Juan Cuadrado are all expected to miss out again due to injury, though full-back Danilo returns from suspension and should replace Federico Bernardeschi in the lineup, as Pirlo reverts to a four-man defence after fielding a trio last time out.
Despite a lack of goals, Dejan Kulusevski should continue to support Cristiano Ronaldo up front, as Dybala will not return for some time yet and Alvaro Morata is still suffering from the effects of an intestinal illness. Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey is under pressure from Weston McKennie to keep his place in midfield, with former Barcelona man Arthur remaining doubtful.
Visiting coach Vincenzo Italiano welcomed top scorer M'Bala Nzola back versus Parma, after more than a month's absence, so the powerful front man should be set to regain his starting spot, with 'false nine' Kevin Agudelo making way or perhaps switching to the flank.
Tommaso Pobega will compete with current incumbent Nahuel Estevez for one of Spezia's three midfield slots - if the Milan loanee can return to fitness in time - though Riccardo Marchizza, Juan Ramos and Federico Mattiello all missed out at the weekend are not expected to return yet.
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Danilo, Demiral, de Ligt, Sandro; Chiesa, Bentancur, Rabiot, Ramsey; Kulusevski, Ronaldo
Spezia possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Vignali, Terzi, Erlic, Bastoni; Estevez, Ricci, Maggiore; Agudelo, Nzola, Gyasi