Palermo's start to the new year has been disappointing as per their calibre and potential. Having won just two of their five league matches in January, the Rosanero have dropped out of the top six and into eighth with 34 points from 22 matches.
At the weekend Delio Rossi's side collapsed 3-2 at San Siro as despite going 2-0 up against Italian and European champions Inter in the first-half they conceded three times in the second 45 minutes to slump to their eighth defeat of the season and sixth away from home.
Palermo at the Renzo Barbera, though, are a formidable team as they have won seven of the 11 league fixtures played in front of their own supporters. The Aquile will also take heart from the fact that earlier this season in the reverse fixture they destroyed Juventus 3-1 in Turin.
Going Up In Smoke
Juventus' season went from bad to worse at the weekend as they were destroyed both in terms of results and morale by Udinese, going down 2-1 to suffer their fourth defeat of the new year.
With Europa League hopes having vanished in the first-half of the campaign and the Coppa Italia chance stolen by Roma, Luigi Del Neri's side are now in real danger of missing out on a place in Europe altogether.
Currently stationed in seventh place in the league standings with 35 points from 22 matches, the former Italian and European champions are a point behind sixth-placed Udinese and three points behind Inter, who are fourth. If the Nerazzurri win their game in hand, then Juve will be six points off a Champions League slot, a considerable gap in the context of their wretched run of results.
Midfielder Claudio Marchisio has asked everyone at the club to regain confidence and enthuses, “This negative month is over at last. We’re really disappointed about this period and about the defeats.
"Unfortunately, we aren’t in luck, but the group stick together, we want to win and do our best. Football gives you the chance of reversing the circumstances and on Wednesday in Palermo we have to show our value through a great performance."
TEAM NEWS
Palermo
Hernandez, Pinilla and Goian are injured and will sit out the match against Juventus. Carrozzieri and Munoz are suspended.
Juventus
Rinaudo, De Ceglie, Quagliarella, Toni, Traore, Pepe, Motta and Iaquinta are injured and will not travel to Palermo. Bonucci is suspended.
Winter signings Barzagli and Matri will start in defence and attack respectively.
Prediction
Juventus will have two new players in their starting line-up and coach Del Neri could struggle to mastermind a victory in Palermo. However, given the Rosanero's setback at the weekend a draw for the Bianconeri is not out of the question.
Palermo 1-1 Juventus 
