Preview: Juventus vs. Roma - prediction, team news, lineups

The teams convene in Turin with the visitors having gathered maximum points so far, while Juve followed victory on Serie A's opening day with a dire draw last time out.

Match preview

Depleted by injuries for their first road trip of the season, Juventus found themselves on the back foot for much of the first half in Monday's stalemate with Sampdoria, before seeming to settle for a point during the second.

Max Allegri's men appeared to revert to type against well-drilled opposition, without the magic of summer signings Angel Di Maria and Paul Pogba to inspire them and create chances for a frustrated Dusan Vlahovic, who barely laid his boot on the ball at Marassi.

Once again, Allegri took post-match flak for his team's disjointed display, and old concerns are arising among fans ahead of the club's upcoming return to the Champions League.

After failing to back up an impressive victory in their opening Serie A fixture - a 3-0 win at home to Sassuolo - Juve's quest for their first Scudetto in three years continues on Saturday evening, when they meet rivals for a place in the top four.

Following wins at home and away last season, the Bianconeri have won 85 of their 176 top-flight encounters with Roma, including each of the last three. Not only that, but they have been denied maximum points just once in 11 meetings at the Allianz Stadium since its inauguration.

This time, Juve's visitors from the capital bring with them a once-treasured player from the club's nine-in-a-row streak of Scudetti - ended by Inter in 2021 - but Paulo Dybala's return to Turin is unlikely to prove as emotional as his tearful departure.

While Dybala seems to have settled seamlessly into his new surroundings in the Eternal City, having received a regal welcome upon arriving, the mercurial maestro has yet to score for Roma in Serie A.

Indeed, the Giallorossi's match-winners in both of their first two fixtures came from less likely sources, as Bryan Cristante fired them to success at Salernitana before Chris Smalling headed home the decider against Cremonese last weekend.

So far, no team have attempted more shots at goal than Roma, or found the target more often (17 - equal with Inter), while Juventus have managed roughly half their totals in both regards.

However, facing relatively weak opposition has certainly helped their cause, and the capital club's ongoing struggles against the top six did not end with the appointment of their charismatic coach last summer.

Along with a series of other failures versus Calcio's heavyweights, Jose Mourinho lost both games against Juve last term, including a spectacular 4-3 defeat at Stadio Olimpico.

Following an eye-catching recruitment drive over the past few weeks, he will be expecting far better in the 2022-23 campaign - starting this weekend, in Turin.

Juventus Serie A form:

Juventus form (all competitions):

Roma Serie A form:

Roma form (all competitions):

Team News

Somewhat easing his injury woes, Juventus boss Max Allegri should be able to recall both Leonardo Bonucci and Wojciech Szczesny on Saturday; significantly bolstering his defensive options.

The latter is in line to face his former club, against whom he saved a crucial penalty last season, while Bonucci would replace Daniele Rugani if passed fit in time.

Still without Paul Pogba and long-term absentee Federico Chiesa, Allegri is apparently pondering the selection of young midfielder Fabio Miretti, who impressed in his cameo off the bench against Sampdoria, with Weston McKennie and Adrien Rabiot both finding their places in danger.

Whoever composes the hosts' central trio will be tasked with improving the supply line for those labouring up front, as Dusan Vlahovic has had the fewest touches (35) of any outfield player to have played 180 minutes in Serie A this season.

A forward accustomed to scoring freely in Turin is Roma's Paulo Dybala, who returns to a stadium where he is the top goalscorer in all competitions (68). Also the 10th highest scorer for Juventus in their top-flight history, he starts in support of Tammy Abraham in the visitors' attack.

Jose Mourinho must make changes, though, as Nicolo Zaniolo is sidelined again after suffering a dislocated shoulder, while recent arrival Georginio Wijnaldum has been ruled for several months with a broken leg.

In the former's absence, captain Lorenzo Pellegrini should move into a more advanced role alongside Dybala.

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Bremer, Sandro; Miretti, Locatelli, Rabiot; Cuadrado, Vlahovic, Kostic

Roma possible starting lineup:

Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Matic, Cristante, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Dybala; Abraham

We say: Juventus 1-0 Roma

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