Juventus will be looking to continue their impressive start to the 2019-20 campaign when they travel to rivals Torino for the Derby della Mole on Saturday night.
The Italian champions are currently top of Serie A with 26 points from their 10 matches, while Torino sit down in 12th having gathered 11 points from their first 10 league fixtures.
Match preview
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Three wins, two draws and five defeats - that is how Torino have performed in Serie A this season. A total of 11 points has left them in 12th position in the table, just four points clear of the relegation zone.
Torino actually started their 2019-20 Serie A campaign with back-to-back victories over Sassuolo and Atalanta before overcoming AC Milan at the end of September to make it three wins from their first five matches.
It would be fair to say that the Turin outfit have struggled since then, though, losing three of their five fixtures and failing to win. Walter Mazzarri's side were thumped 4-0 at Lazio on Wednesday night, but this weekend's derby provides the perfect chance to give their supporters something to cheer.
The omens are not exactly great for Torino, however, considering that they have only beaten Juve once in Serie A since April 1995. The Old Lady have won four of their last five meetings in the league, although Torino did manage to pick up a 1-1 draw when they last locked horns in May.
The Bull have also only lost one of their last 10 home Serie A matches dating back to last season, which is a run of form that includes two victories over AC Milan and a 3-1 success against Lazio.
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Following a 1-1 draw at Lecce on Saturday, Juve returned to winning ways on Wednesday night as they recorded a 2-1 victory at home to Genoa. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a 96th-minute penalty to secure all three points for the Old Lady, who had to triumph in order to return to the top of the table.
It remains to be seen whether Inter Milan are capable of launching a strong title challenge this season, but Antonio Conte's side have made a terrific start. Indeed, just one point separates leaders Juve from second-placed Inter at this stage, showing that Maurizio Sarri's side need to be on their game this weekend.
Just 18 goals scored in 10 Serie A matches is the lowest in the top six, and it would be fair to say that the champions have not been at their best this season. Indeed, there has not really been a resounding win for the team this term, with a lot of their victories by the odd goal.
Sarri's side are going well in the Champions League with seven points from their three matches, though, and are well on course to make the last-16 stage of the competition. There is little doubting that the powers that be will be expecting a strong challenge for the European Cup this season.
Juve cannot afford to take their eyes off the ball in the league, though, and they are entering a very interesting period of the season considering that their next three are against Torino (A), Milan (H) and Atalanta (A).
Torino form: WWLWDD
Juventus form: WWWWDW
Team News
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Torino will again be without the services of centre-back Kevin Bonifazi due to a fractured hand, while Nicolas N'Koulou is suspended following his red card against Lazio on Wednesday night.
Vittorio Parigini and Alessandro Buongiorno are also doubts with thigh and groin injuries respectively, but Andrea Belotti is fit to lead the line for the home side.
Simone Zaza is also expected to keep his spot in the final third, although Spanish attacker Iago Falque is pushing to be involved having entered as a second-half substitute in the defeat at Lazio.
As for Juve, midfielder Adrien Rabiot is suspended following his late red card against Genoa, while Giorgio Chiellini and Mattia Perin remain unavailable for selection through injury.
Sarri is expected to recall Matthijs de Ligt and Wojciech Szczesny to his starting XI, although the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Douglas Costa might have to settle for spots on the bench once again.
Miralem Pjanic and Gonzalo Higuain both missed Wednesday's clash through injury, and the pair remain doubts heading into this weekend's Turin derby.
Torino possible starting lineup: Sirigu; Izzo, Ansaldi, Djidji; De Silvestri, Meite, Baselli, Aina; Verdi; Zaza, Belotti
Juventus possible starting lineup: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, Sandro; Khedira, Matuidi, Bentancur; Bernardeschi; Ronaldo, Dybala
We say: Torino 1-2 Juventus
It should be a fascinating clash at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. The home side will fancy their chances of causing a lot of problems, but we just fancy Juve to have enough to pick up a narrow win.
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