The Turin giants will be looking to move to the top of the table with a win over Vincenzo Montella’s men; the Rossazzurri aiming high after Genoa demolition.
Juventus will play hosts to Catania in matchday-24 encounter of the season on February, 18 at 19:45 GMT.
The Old Lady’s latest league game finished as a controversial goalless draw against Parma recently. Antonio Conte believes that his team were denied several clear penalty shouts.
On the other hand, Catania enjoyed a thumping 4-0 win over Genoa in their previous league game.
Juventus
The Bianconeri have been playing arguably the best football in the league, and are the only side to have remained unbeaten until now. However, Conte will be looking for improvement from his side, as they have drawn too many games
against mid-table outfits. Juventus have drawn 10 games in the ongoing campaign.
The Lady Killers have won three of their last five matches in all competitions.
Catania
Montella’s men have had a mixed campaign so far, and have dropped too many cheap points against lower-ranked oppositions. They have been inconsistent of late, having won only one of their last five matches in all competitions.
Gli Elephant enjoy a great record against the Turin giants, and have lost only two of the nine head to head games against them. Catania made a remarkable recovery to draw 2-2 in the corresponding fixture of the last season.
Team News
Juventus
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arturo-Vidal-c6760 is suspended for the game after picking up a yellow card against Parma in the midweek game.
There are no major injury concerns for La Signora, as only http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fabio-Quagliarella-c13194 is expected to start upfront alongside Alessandro
Matri.
Probable line-up: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner, Padoin, Pirlo, Marchisio, Giaccherini, Matri, Quagliarella.
Catania
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ciro-Capuano-c9266 is a major doubt for the game, and will undergo a late fitness test.
Probable starting line-up: Kosicky, Motta, Spolli, Legrottaglie, Marchese, Izco, Lodi, Almiron, Gomez, Bergessio, Barrientos.
Players to Watch
Emanuele Giaccherini (Juventus)
The Bibbiena-born versatile midfielder has been a revelation for the Bianconeri. He has become a fan-favourite due to his never-say-die attitude. The former Cesena midfielder has scored two goals from 10 appearances this season,
and is most likely to replace suspended Vidal.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marco-Motta-c23718 (Catania)
The former Juve player will have a point to prove to Antonio Conte, after the manager decided to offload him recently. The Italian international played made his Catania debut last weekend, and is expected to start the game against
his former employers.
Prediction
Juventus are desperate for a win to get their campaign moving after a string of draws recently. The Turin giants will be cautious of recent draws against the minnows and will be aware of Catania’s reputation of being ‘giant killers’.
Despite Catania’s decent form against the top sides, the Bianconeri are expected to steal a close fought win.
Verdict: 1-0
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