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Juventus v Sampdoria: Match preview, team news and probable lineups
Juventus will be looking to boost their chances of securing a top-four finish in Serie A when they host Sampdoria on Sunday.
Currently in seventh place with a 12-point gap to fourth-placed Lazio, the Bianconeri have little room for error in their remaining fixtures.
Although they have lost only five games this season, their points deduction has hampered their progress.
A loss or a draw against Sampdoria will all but end their hopes of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League, making it a must-win game for the home side.
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A win for Juventus on the night will see them win eight straight Serie A games vs Sampdoria for the first time since 1947-1953.
Avoiding defeat, on the other hand, will see Sampdoria go unbeaten vs Juventus over the course of a Serie A campaign for the first time since 2012/13.
While Juventus are the clear favorites on paper, anything can happen in football. A defeat or a draw for the home side will not only harm their chances of a top-four finish but also represent a new nadir in Massimiliano Allegri’s second term as Juventus boss.
Team news and probable lineups
Massimiliano Allegri’s side will be without Federico Chiesa and Angel Di Maria, who are both nursing injuries.
However, Paul Pogba is expected to return to the squad, adding an iota of dynamism to a midfield that has lacked inspiration at times.
The options upfront are limited, with Arkadiusz Milik injured and Moise Kean out suspended.
A 3-5-2 formation is expected, with Wojciech Szczesny in goal and the trio of Gleison Bremer, Leonardo Bonucci, and Danilo anchoring the backline.
The quartet of Juan Cuadrado, Nicolo Fagioli, Adrien Rabiot, and Filip Kostic will provide the push upfield. Dusan Vlahovic and Fabio Miretti are expected to start upfront.
Sampdoria, the Serie A bottom feeders, have struggled to score goals this season, making their trip to Turin a daunting task.
They will be without Emil Audero, their first-choice goalkeeper, who sustained a shoulder injury. However, Manolo Gabbiadini and Filip Djuricic are in contention to feature.
The visitors are likely to adopt a 3-4-1-2 formation, with Nicola Ravaglia in goal and Alessandro Zanoli, Bram Nuytinck, and Bruno Amione forming the backline.
The duo of Mehdi Leris and Tommaso Augello will provide width as the wing-backs. Harry Winks and Tomas Rincon will provide the muscle in the middle of the park, with Michael Cuisance and Jese Rodriguez tasked with crafting goalscoring opportunities.
Gabbiadini’s return should give the visitors a chance to spring a surprise.
Juventus probable starting lineup: Szczesny; Bremer, Bonucci, Danilo; Cuadrado, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Miretti; Vlahovic.
Sampdoria probable starting lineup: Ravaglia; Gunter, Nuytinck, Amione; Leris, Winks, Rincon, Augello; Cuisance; Rodriguez, Gabbiadini.
