Juventus travel to Genoa this weekend in search of their first win of the season while Genoa aim to continue the Turin giants’ early league misery and get their second win.
The reigning champions have struggled to find form after injuries struck down Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira, leaving them with a lack of options in midfield. A midweek win away to Manchester City could prove to be just the fix they needed in order boost their Serie A form and get back on track to winning a fifth consecutive Scudetto.
Key Battle – Goran Pandev vs Juventus’ defence
The Macedonian has a terrific record against Juve, scoring a brace against them twice in his career. Back in Serie A with Genoa after a stint in Turkey, he will be looking to inflict more damage against the team he loves playing against and sinking Juventus further down the table. For the hosts, they looked terrific against Manchester City after it took an own goal to get the English heavyweights on the scoresheet, one that probably should have been ruled a foul.
Team News
Juventus will likely make a few changes from the team that beat Manchester City with Frenchman Mario Lemina set to debut. The youngster has come on loan from Marseille and is likened to Arturo Vidal given his midfield abilities and thirst for the ball. Alex Sandro will come back into the starting lineup in place of Patrice Evra in a 4-3-3 formation. The Brazilian arrived from FC Porto and was in the XI last weekend as Juve drew with Chievo. Sandro looked terrific, galloping down the left side and providing plenty of assistance for the attack while also fulfilling defensive duties. Martin Caceres could also start at right-back with Stephen Lichtsteiner being rested. It is being speculated Simone Zaza could make his way into the starting lineup and debut for Juventus.
Juventus Expected XI (4-3-3): Buffon (GK); Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Lemina, Hernanes, Pogba; Cuadrado, Zaza, Morata.
Genoa are expected to make no changes from the side that lost to Fiorentina last weekend.
Genoa Expected XI (3-5-2): Lamanna (GK); Maio, Burdisso, Izzo; Figueiras, Dzemaili, Costa, Rincon, Laxalt; Pandev, Perotti.
Head-to-Head
It was Genoa who prevailed in their first fixture last season at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris thanks to a goal from Luca Antonini. Juve have won four of six prior meetings; Genoa winning once and the other being a 1-1 draw.
Previous Meeting
Genoa and Juventus’ most recent meeting came on 22 March with Juve coming away 1-0 winners at home.
Prediction
This will be hard to judge given Juventus’ poor form in Serie A. However, they were brilliant against City, coming from 1-0 down to score two goals in the last 20 minutes and walk away winners against a side that is topping the Premier League and had not conceded a goal in over 600 minutes of football.
Genoa have not looked great either so far in the league so Juve should prevail off the back of the momentum they would have picked up from the Champions League and get their first win of the season.
Genoa 0 Juventus 2
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