Juventusvs.Salernitana

Victory would seal Champions League qualification for the Bianconeri, but four straight draws have left them glancing over their shoulder at several teams behind them.

Match preview

After a rare season without continental competition, due to a one-year ban imposed by UEFA, Juventus can book their return to Europe's top table by beating Serie B-bound Salernitana, securing the club's 24th involvement in the Champions League.

However, a side that once contested top spot with Inter Milan has been stumbling towards the tape for several weeks now - with just two wins to show from their last 14 league fixtures, they are hanging on to third place by a two-point margin.

In 2024, only Heidenheim have drawn more matches than Juve throughout Europe's top five leagues, while only Frosinone and Sunday's visitors have won fewer times in Italy's top flight.

Again unable to finish off their opponents, Juventus were held to a 1-1 draw by Roma last time out, as Brazilian centre-back Bremer scored his 13th headed goal in Serie A to secure a point at Stadio Olimpico.

A return to Rome awaits next Wednesday, when Max Allegri's men will contest the Coppa Italia final, which they recently reached by eliminating Lazio - for the second time in four seasons, Atalanta BC are their opponents in the decider.

First, though, the Bianconeri must take care of business by recording a third win on the spin over Salernitana; having lost just once in nine previous top-flight meetings with the Campanian club, their frustrated fans will accept nothing less.

Though their most recent game against Juventus in Turin ended 2-2 last season, Salernitana were defeated by a stoppage-time strike from Dusan Vlahovic in January's reverse fixture down in Salerno.

Already deep in trouble at that time, the Granata's hopes of Serie A survival never really improved before their relegation was finally confirmed at the end of April, and they are now only playing for pride.

Stefano Colantuono's side slipped 14 points adrift of 19th-placed Sassuolo on Monday evening, as they let a lead slip against Atalanta - after Loum Tchaouna put them in front at an almost-empty Stadio Arechi, La Dea struck twice after the break.

Having lost their last four matches, Salernitana will now try to avoid suffering five straight Serie A defeats for the very first time, but a first win of 2024 may prove beyond a confidence-sapped squad.

With only 12 goals to their name since the turn of the year, and having conceded 39, they will travel to Turin in hope rather than expectation.

Juventus Serie A form:

L

W

D

D

D

D

Juventus form (all competitions):

W

D

D

L

D

D

Salernitana Serie A form:

L

D

L

L

L

L

Team News

Not expected to indulge in much rotation ahead of the cup final - and against modest opposition - Juventus boss Max Allegri will be without three defenders due to injury, while Timothy Weah is sidelined by suspension.

Brazilian duo Danilo (thigh) and Alex Sandro (calf) are both unavailable, as is Mattia De Sciglio (thigh), but young striker Kenan Yildiz hopes to recover from an illness.

With the latter's involvement likely to be limited, Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahovic are set to feature up front; Vlahovic has been directly involved in no fewer than nine goals - six of his own and three assists - from five previous meetings with Salernitana.

Meanwhile, the visitors' chief threat is Loum Tchaouna - the youngest player to have a hand in at least seven Serie A strikes this season - but fellow forward Antonio Candreva, a former Juve loanee, features on a long injury list.

Giulio Maggiore, Grigoris Kastanos, Norbert Gyomber, Jerome Boateng and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa are all ruled out; Domagoj Bradaric's participation is in doubt due to picking up a knock on Monday, but at least Niccolo Pierozzi returns after serving a one-match ban.

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Gatti, Bremer, Rugani; Cambiaso, McKennie, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Chiesa, Vlahovic

Salernitana possible starting lineup:

Fiorillo; Pierozzi, Fazio, Pirola; Sambia, Coulibaly, Basic, Zanoli; Vignato, Tchaouna; Ikwuemesi

We say: Juventus 2-0 Salernitana

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