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

Having just strung together a three-match winning run domestically, Juve stumbled at home to Nantes in the Europa League playoffs; meanwhile, their hosts were also hauled back last time out and had to settle for a draw.

Match preview

Able to put domestic concerns to one side for the night, having endured a trying time both on and off the field in 2023, Juventus resumed their continental campaign in Europe's second-tier competition on Thursday, as one of eight Champions League drop-outs playing off for a place in the Europa League's last 16.

Dusan Vlahovic's strike, following a smart combination between fellow forwards Federico Chiesa and Angel Di Maria, put Juve in command at the Allianz Stadium, but despite striking the woodwork three times too, the hosts were stung by a lightning-quick Nantes counter and approached the final whistle level at 1-1.

There was still time for some controversy, though, as Juventus were denied a penalty for handball following a pitchside review, when the referee ruled a Bremer push came just before a clear Nantes handball. The tie remains finely balanced, then, before next week's second leg, but coach Max Allegri could have done with a better result to keep chins up in Turin.

Events since the turn of the year have left the Europa League and Coppa Italia as the Bianconeri's most realistic targets between now and close of play in June, as after they were deducted 15 points due to financial indiscretions last month, they were cast down into the bottom half of the table.

Three straight wins in league and cup followed, so the picture had brightened after Juve inched up to ninth following victory over Fiorentina last week, when Adrien Rabiot scored the game's only goal: they have won both the most games by a 1-0 scoreline in Serie A this season (six) and the most without conceding (13) - including August's reverse fixture against Spezia.

In spite of their midweek setback, Allegri's men should have every expectation that they can return to winning ways on Sunday evening, as they have come out on top in each of five top-flight meetings with their hosts to date - naturally keeping a clean sheet in three of them.

Having slid down the standings after three straight defeats, Spezia's advantage over Serie A's bottom three was already dwindling before last week's trip to Empoli, where they were ultimately held to an eventful draw.

At the third attempt, Daniele Verde forced his first-half penalty past Guglielmo Vicario, before the diminutive striker struck an unstoppable shot into the top corner from distance that left the much-sought goalkeeper with no chance.

Spezia had Empoli right where they wanted them - down to 10 men and trailing by two goals - but Salvatore Esposito was then sent off for his second bookable offence and their hosts fought back to 2-2 by virtue of a 94th-minute equaliser.

As a result, the Aquilotti would slip into the relegation zone if they were to lose their fourth game in five this weekend and Verona can topple Roma just a few hours later - recent home form suggests the first part of that scenario is highly probable.

Luca Gotti's side, who struggled as star striker M'Bala Nzola was sidelined by injury, have gone some 329 minutes without scoring a single Serie A goal at Stadio Picco - the club's longest such run since reaching the top flight back in 2020.

Spezia Serie A form:

D

W

L

L

L

D

Spezia form (all competitions):

W

L

L

L

L

D

Juventus Serie A form:

W

L

D

L

W

W

Juventus form (all competitions):

D

L

W

W

W

D

Team News

Between successive Thursday night fixtures, Max Allegri may make some changes to his Juventus team on Sunday, while at least one will be enforced due to Bremer's suspension.

Fit-again captain Leonardo Bonucci and Alex Sandro are therefore in competition to start on the left of a likely back three; Daniele Rugani is also a contender.

Mattia Perin may be back on the bench following illness, but Arkadiusz Milik (hamstring) Fabio Miretti (ankle) and the elusive Paul Pogba (hip) remain absent.

Meanwhile, Juve's fearsome attacking trio could be united again, with Dusan Vlahovic having scored five times in as many meetings with Spezia to date and Angel Di Maria being involved in four goals in his last five league appearances; Federico Chiesa completes the trident.

Spezia's hopes of causing an upset are boosted by the returns from suspension of Ethan Ampadu and Mattia Caldara, though Salvatore Esposito must now serve a ban following his dismissal last week.

The January signing joins Simone Bastoni, Szymon Zurkowski, Jacopo Sala and long-term absentee Jeroen Zoet on the sidelines, but Viktor Kovalenko and M'Bala Nzola are approaching full fitness and should both feature at some stage.

Another recent arrival, Eldor Shomurodov, partnered Daniele Verde up front against Empoli; the recent returns of Nzola and Emmanuel Gyasi could see the hosts also make a change in that department.

Spezia possible starting lineup:

Dragowski; Amian, Caldara, Nikolaou; Holm, Bourabia, Ampadu, Agudelo, Reca; Gyasi, Shomurodov

Juventus possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Danilo, Rugani, Bonucci; De Sciglio, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Di Maria, Vlahovic, Chiesa

We say: Spezia 0-2 Juventus

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