Roma vs Juventus
Italy – Serie A
Date: Sunday, 12 January 2020
Kick-off at 19:45 UK / 20:45 CET
Venue: Stadio Olimpico (Rome).
After taking just one point from the game with Sassuolo and Lazio, Maurizio Sarri would fear that Juventus had gifted Inter a chance to build advantage at the top.
However, three consecutive wins, combined with their fierce rivals dropping points at Fiorentina, has led to both teams locked on the same number of points after 18 games.
While Lazio are also linger as potential title challengers, Juve will focus on matching the Nerazzurri blow for blow, hoping that the experience of winning several league titles in a row finally paid off.
Sarri would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo proved his doubters wrong by running a prolonged form in the final third, with a hat-trick against Cagliari Calcio take a recent tally to 10 goals from seven matches in all competitions.
However, with only one clean sheet which is stored in the last four games, Sarri will admit that Juventus could benefit further if the area of their game improve over the next few weeks.
As for Roma, a 2-0 defeat at home to Torino last weekend ended a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, concluding a period of strong momentum needed after a mixed start to the season.
Paulo Fonseca will remain optimistic about the future, however, the team is now looking to close the gap on neighbors Lazio in third place.
The main concern they might be a threat Atalanta BC, who remained just one point behind them, but I Giallorossi have been playing with the confidence that shows they feel that they should be higher table.
The setback against Torino can be inserted into the Christmas break came at the wrong time, although there will be a recognition that they can not afford the same level of performance when it comes down to the field on Sunday night.
News Team
Roma
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been sidelined several weeks with a muscle injury, while Davide Santon, Javier Pastore and Justin Kluivert still sidelined.
Leonardo Spinazzola must come to replace Alessandro Florenzi in defense.
Juventus
Maurizio Sarri is expected to confirm the same XI that started Monday's 4-0 win over Cagliari.
Roma vs Juventus: Head-to-head (h2h)
Overall Stats (56 games): 14 Wins Roma, Juventus 26 Wins, 16 Pictures.
The Giallorossi have a 9-10-9 home record vs Juve.
Rome riding a five-match unbeaten run vs Juventus at the Olimpico.
Less than three goals have been scored in 6 of their last 7 H2H match.
Rome occupied Juve 2-0 in last season's meeting at this place.
Prediction
You have to go back to May 2014 for the last time Juventus leave Roma with three points. At that time, Antonio Conte's men needed a 90-minute strike from Pablo Osvaldo. It will not be easy this weekend but we could see the Old Lady eeking out a slim victory.
Scoreline Prediction: Roma 1-2 Juventus
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