Salernitana - Juventus prediction
The 21st round of Serie A concludes at the Stadio Areci with a bottom-of-the-table clash between Salernitana and Juventus.
After dropping 15 points in January, the visitors go into this match just two points ahead of their 16th-placed hosts.
Distracted by growing turmoil off the pitch, Juventus have suffered a massive dip in form of late.
After winning 8 consecutive league games without conceding a goal, they have taken just one point in the last 3 rounds (0-1-2).
And they conceded as many as ten goals in those three games.
However, the Bianconeri are still favorites in this match.
Having recorded 4 clean sheets in as many Calcio meetings with teams that start the match below them in the table (3-1-0).
In addition, Juve also won 2-0 away at Salerno last year.
And Salernitana have managed just one win in their previous seven Serie A meetings against Juventus (1-2-4).
Beating them 1-0 at home way back in 1999.
But after the momentum from the win over Lecce last round, I think Salernitana could steal at least 1 point today.
Prediction: 1X double chance.
Salernitana - statistics and info
It took them a long time, but Salernitana finally did it last weekend - edging out a 2-1 away win over newcomers Lecce.
Thus they registered their first triumph in Serie A since the end of October.
By ending an astonishing streak of 7 consecutive Calcio games without a win (0-2-5).
Davide Nicola may see this victory as a chance to revive his managerial career in Salerno.
But fears of being dragged back into the relegation battle have yet to pass.
Although Salernitana entered this round eight points clear of 18th-placed Verona.
The Calcio's worst defensive record of 38 goals conceded is linked to these suspicions.
So the hosts need to tighten things up defensively in the second half of the season.
After the aforementioned success in Lecce, Salernitana can now win back-to-back Serie A matches for the first time since October.
Their shaky form at home, however, cannot inspire much confidence (3-3-4).
As is the fact that they are yet to win here against teams above them in the standings.
Juventus - statistics and info
Juventus have the third best defensive record in Calcio this season, conceding just 17 goals.
But off-field issues are what effectively shut them out of the race for European spots.
With 15 points separating them from sixth-placed AC Milan, there is indeed a lot of work to be done.
Unfortunately for head coach Massimiliano Allegri, time is not his friend.
Even more so after Serie A debutants Monza defeated the Old Lady in Turin last weekend.
At least Juventus did well to bounce back from that disheartening defeat, beating Lazio 1-0 in the Cup.
In doing so, he secured a place in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia for the fourth season in a row.
Salernitana team news
Salernitana coach Davide Nicola's first choice centre-backs are still out with injuries.
It is about Federico Fazio and Norbert Gomber.
But there is a chance that Pasquale Mazzocchi and Giulio Maggiore could still come on as substitutes.
The hosts will rely a lot on Boulaye Dia .
Apart from putting in a great performance at the Allianz Stadium in the second leg, he has been in form of late as well.
Picking up 2 goals and 2 assists in his last 3 Serie A appearances.
With 12 goals to his name this season, the Senegalese forward is one to keep Juve's defense under pressure.
Juventus team news
Tuesday's match will come too soon for long-term Juventus absentee Paul Pogba.
While Arkadiusz Milik picked up a hip problem.
The visitors' staff are still concerned about long-serving defender Leonardo Bonucci.
He faces a race against time to recover from his injury.
The prolonged stay on the sidelines due to injury took its toll on Dusan Vlahovic .
As the Serbian striker looked rusty against Lazio on Thursday.
However, Vlahovic is set to make his first Serie A start since October.
And there is no doubt that he will strive to do so in the best way possible.
Squads and injured footballers
Salernitana
Lineup: Ochoa; Troost-Ekong, Bron, Bradarich; Coulibaly, Bohinen, Villena; Candreva, Piatek, Dia
Injured: Fazio, Gomber
In question: Maggiore, Matzoki
Juventus
Lineup: Garlic; Danilo, Bremer, Sandro; Cuadrado, Fagiolo, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Chiesa, Vlahovich
Injured: Pogba, Milik
In question: Bonucci, Jorge
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