Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker:
In a real showdown between two Italian icons on Sunday night, Juventus will welcome AC Milan to Turin for what could be a lively affair.
Juventus
Starting with the hosts, putting in another nightmare display earlier in the week and dealing with a string of issues behind the scenes, Juventus find themselves in the midst of a real nightmare. Hit with a 10-point deduction and now free-falling their way out of the top-six, Massimiliano Allegri’s side have come under a huge amount of scrutiny over the past week. Crashing out of the Europa League last week as they eventually fell to a 3-2 aggregate defeat against Sevilla, the Old Lady are simply hoping to find some kind of boost. Last seen a few days ago getting hit with an infamous 4-1 drumming at the hands of Empoli, Juventus have now claimed just a trio of wins from any of their previous 11 appearances across all competitions. With that woeful rut stemming all the way back to April 13th, Allegri’s downbeat squad could face another stern examination on Sunday night.
Team News
Dealing with what has become a mounting injury list in Turin, Juventus look set to once again be without the likes of Paul Pogba, Leonardo Bonucci, Kaio Jorge, Nicolo Fagioli and Mattia De Sciglio. However, the duo of Danilo and Juan Cuadrado are set to make their respective returns after serving a one-match suspension.
Although Serbian international Dusan Vlahovic might have recorded just a single goal in his last four appearances across all competitions, the former Fiorentina striker will spearhead Juve’s attack on Sunday night.
AC Milan
As for the visitors, suffering Champions League semi-final heartbreak at the hands of their bitter local rivals on May 16th, AC Milan would have simply been relieved after claiming a crucial boost last weekend. Drawing a line under their three-match losing run as they stormed their way to a thumping 5-1 romp at home against Sampdoria, the Italian heavyweights will know that three points on Sunday night will be enough to officially punch a top-four finish. Holding a three-point buffer over the chasing pack, many in Stefano Pioli’s camp could be smelling the chance to spring an upset in Turin. Claiming a 2-0 victory when they welcomed Juventus to the San Siro for their reverse Serie A showdown on October 8th, the Rossoneri also hold an eye-catching record against Sunday’s opponents. In fact, AC Milan have lost just one of their last eight straight showdowns against the Old Lady a run that stems all the way back to November 2019.
Team News
Not making a single appearance since returning from March’s international break, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is once again likely to miss out here. The Swedish icon is joined on the sidelines by Ante Rebic, Ismael Bennacer and former Liverpool star Divock Origi this weekend.
Bagging a hat-trick at the San Siro last week and notching 11 Serie A strikes this season, ex-Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud will once again partner attacking talisman Rafael Leao in the final third.
Key Factors to Consider
