Genoa aim to extend their undefeated run at Stadio Luigi Ferraris when they welcome Juventus in the first game of round 16's Serie A action on Friday.
Alberto Gilardino's men have not been beaten at the Marassi since early October, a streak that could carry on against the Old Lady, keen to replace Inter Milan at the top of the standings.
Match preview
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Genoa began the season in indifferent form, but the league's new boys always gave it a go against the division's best sides, underscored by a 2-2 draw with Napoli, a 4-1 hammering of Jose Mourinho's Roma and an unfortunate defeat against AC Milan on October 7.
Since that loss to Stefano Pioli's side, the Rossoblu have kept two clean sheets and conceded once in three home games, securing seven points from a possible nine.
That could extend to four games if they get the better of title-contending Juventus, a side they defeated at the backend of the 2021-22 campaign that ultimately ended in relegation.
A third shut-out in four may not materialise on Friday, with Genoa failing to keep a clean sheet against this weekend's opponents in the last seven encounters, likely to become eight this time.
Be that as it may, a positive result for the Rossoblu will be what the doctor ordered as they seek to end the Turin-based club's three-month unbeaten run.
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As for Juventus, even Massimiliano Allegri is starting to believe the Bianconeri have Scudetto aspirations after repeatedly downplaying his side's prospects to the media.
His tone changed somewhat after the Old Lady defeated defending league champions Napoli 1-0 in Turin last weekend, thus seeing the division's second-placed side open a 12-point lead over the Partenopei.
The Livorno-born tactician takes his side to the Marassi, keen to put pressure on table-topping Inter with a victory, with maximum points taking Juventus a point clear of Simone Inzaghi's troops before the Nerazzurri face Lazio at the Olimpico.
Having seen his side claim one-goal victories in seven of their recent eight wins in Serie A, Allegri's team could repeat the trick to go top of the standings.
While it is far from sustainable, the heavyweights have been beneficiaries of Federico Gatti's menace from set-pieces, aiding the 2-1 success at Monza and last weekend's win over Napoli, and the centre-back will hope to be decisive on Friday.
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Kevin Strootman is Genoa's injury absentee for this weekend's meeting with Juventus, ruled out because of a hamstring problem.
After missing the defeat by Monza through suspension, Ruslan Malinovskyi should return to Gilardino's midfield, possibly replacing Junior Messias.
Albert Gudmundsson is the Rossoblu's primary threat, and the forward's next goal in Serie A would be his sixth in 23-24.
Juventus are without the suspended Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli, while Mattia De Sciglio (ACL) is absent through injury.
Allegri revealed Dusan Vlahovic was taken off against Napoli due to cramps, but the centre-forward should retain his place in Friday's team, while Timothy Weah (thigh) is back in training.
Genoa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; D. Winter, Dragusin, Vasquez; Sabelli, Malinovskyi, Badelj, Frendrup, Haps; Retegui, Gudmundsson
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Danilo; Cambiasso, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Vlahovic, Chiesa
We say: Genoa 1-2 Juventus
Allegri's team are masters of securing a one-goal advantage, and while they may concede at the Marassi, Juventus should see off Genoa with a marginal victory to end the home side's three-game unbeaten sequence.
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