Cagliari begin this weekend’s round of fixtures hovering just outside of the bottom three and the relegation places in Serie A with a bright start to the campaign giving way to inconsistent and generally poor form in the last couple of months.
The Sardinians head into this one on the back of a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris in Liguria last weekend due to goals scored by Lorenzo Colombo, Morten Frendrup and Leo Ostigard.
Juventus preview: Impressive Bianconeri
Ever since the appointment of Luciano Spalletti, Juventus have been much-improved in the last couple of months as the Bianconeri launch themselves towards the title race, four points behind Internazionale at the top-of-the-table.
Juve come into this one on the back of a 5-0 demolition of Cremonese at the Allianz Stadium in Turin last weekend, courtesy of goals from Bremer, Jonathan David, Kenan Yildiz and Weston McKennie, as well as a Filippo Terracciano own goal.
Cagliari team news: Several injuries
Cagliari are dealing with several injury issues with Alessandro Deiola now a major doubt alongside Colombia international centre-back Yerry Mina.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Caprile; Palestra, Javi Rodriguez, Luperto, Obert; Adopo, Prati, Mazzitelli; Zito Luvumbo, Kilicsoy, Esposito.
There are no fresh injury concerns or absentees for Juventus to deal with this weekend, with both Federico Gatti and Francisco Conceicao fighting their way back.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Miretti, Yildiz; David.
Juventus had been steadily building with improved performances and results, beginning to click into gear with the Spalletti style of football. Then, last week, they went to a new level against previously stubborn opposition in Cremonese. Cagliari are trending in the opposite direction and are now firmly involved in the Serie A relegation battle. A comfortable away win is to be expected for this one in Sardinia.
