Juventusvs.AC Milan

After Milan battled back to beat Juve in Saudi Arabia, the pair reconvene in Serie A, where they trail behind Italy's top four.

Match preview

Juventus may have avoided defeat in 20 straight Serie A matches, but their campaign is certainly not going to plan, due to an inability to put away their opponents.

In addition to crashing out of the Supercoppa semis to Milan, after taking a 1-0 lead into the final 20 minutes, the Bianconeri have failed to convert from a winning position in each of their last three league matches - against Fiorentina, Torino in the Derby della Mole, and then away to Atalanta.

For the seventh time this season, Juve let an advantage slip, as Pierre Kalulu's surprising strike was not quite enough to defeat La Dea in Bergamo on Tuesday evening.

An incredible tally of 13 draws from 20 league games leaves Thiago Motta's men lying fifth in the standings - just three points above a troubled Milan side, having played an extra game.

Another stalemate on Saturday would see Juventus draw four Serie A home games in a row for the first time since 2009, so they will hope to finally end that trend at the Rossoneri's expense.

However, after previously enjoying a nine-game success streak at home to Milan in the Italian top flight, Juve have since failed to win any of the last four; furthermore, they have scored just twice throughout their last eight league meetings.

Fresh from a dramatic Supercoppa triumph - in which they overturned both Juve and city rivals Inter to lift the trophy - Milan hosted Cagliari in last Saturday's night-time kickoff, but the second-city giants had to settle for a home draw.

That was the first blip in Sergio Conceicao's brief reign, but order was soon restored when the Rossoneri recovered from a losing position for the third time in four games under their demanding new boss.

Theo Hernandez hauled them level in nearby Como, bringing up his 30th Serie A goal and becoming the first defender in club history to reach such a milestone, overtaking the legendary Paolo Maldini. Soon after, Rafael Leao continued his recent revival by scoring the winner.

Milan are now looking to win back-to-back league matches for the first time since September, and if a top-four finish is to be salvaged from a season bedevilled by inconsistency, they cannot afford to drop many more points.

Trailing behind Juventus and several others in the Serie A standings, there is no guarantee that Conceicao's side can book a Champions League return for next term - they will resume the current campaign at home to Girona on Wednesday.

Conceicao can first look forward to meeting his son again, albeit Juve winger Francisco Conceicao had to withdraw during the warm-up in Saudi Arabia, and he remains a fitness doubt for this weekend.

Juventus Serie A form:

D

D

W

D

D

D

Juventus form (all competitions):

W

W

D

L

D

D

AC Milan Serie A form:

L

D

W

D

D

W

AC Milan form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

D

W

Team News

Milan saw Christian Pulisic, Alvaro Morata and Malick Thiaw forced off by injuries in Como, and the latter may now be ruled out of Sergio Conceicao's plans for several games.

As a result, the German defender will most likely be replaced by Matteo Gabbia at the heart of the Rossoneri's back four. While Pulisic could yet be passed fit for Saturday's showdown, Morata certainly misses out on meeting one of his former clubs due to suspension.

Once again, Samuel Chukwueze, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alessandro Florenzi are sidelined by injury; in contrast, Juve's long absence list is gradually shortening.

Top scorer Dusan Vlahovic should be ready to return from a layoff - perhaps from the bench - and Francisco Conceicao might also make the squad that takes on his father's new team.

That would leave only long-term absentees Arkadiusz Milik, Juan Cabal and Bremer in the treatment room, leading into an important double-header with Milan and upcoming Champions League opponents Club Brugge.

Continuing the family theme, Tim Weah could play some part against his dad's old club, while ex-Milan midfielder Manuel Locatelli and on-loan defender Pierre Kalulu should both start.

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Yildiz, Koopmeiners, McKennie; Gonzalez

AC Milan possible starting lineup:

Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Gabbia, Hernandez; Fofana, Bennacer; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Abraham

We say: Juventus 1-0 AC Milan

After a dull goalless draw in the league earlier this season - and an eventful encounter in the Supercoppa Italiana - it might be a one-goal game on Saturday.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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