Juventus appeared to have recovered lost rhythm in early February as January recruit Alessandro Matri scored goals and inspired the former Italian and European champions to victories over Cagliari and Inter. Hopes of Champions League qualification resuscitated and the colour returned for the Bianconeri.
However, last weekend’s 2-0 humiliation to relegation-threatened Lecce away from home forced Luigi Del Neri’s side to crash down to earth. It was only their fourth away defeat of the league campaign but saw them slip to seventh in the league standings on 41 points from 26 matches, a solitary point off a Europa League slot.
On Saturday the Old Lady will attempt to get back on her feet as Bologna come to Turin. Juve failed to win against the Felsinei in the reverse fixture in October but striker Alessandro Del Piero claims that this time they are ready.
"I am training well and we are all working in the best way,” enthused Del Piero on Thursday. “There is no point saying how important our game against Bologna is after losing to Lecce.
"Our focus in on winning and I have been thinking about this game since last Sunday."
Bouncing Back From Midweek Defeat
Bologna are one of the better sides at home in Serie A and based solely on home record the Rossoblu would be eighth in the league standings. However, in midweek they suffered only their second loss at the Renato Dall'Ara as they went down 1-0 to Roma.
On Saturday Bologna will travel to Turin to take on another Champions League hopefuls in Juventus. In the reverse fixture at home this season Alberto Malesani’s side collected a point from the encounter and with the Bianconeri’s current state of fragile health, they will be confident of conjuring up an upset.
Currently placed 12th in the table with 32 points, Bologna will also be keen on increasing the gap between themselves and the relegation zone and reaching the 40-point mark.
However, Bologna’s away form is poor as of the 13 league encounters they have featured in away from home, they have won just two and lost seven. Their last match on the road ended in a 2-1 defeat to Sampdoria in Genoa.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
Rinaudo, De Ceglie, Quagliarella and Sissoko are injured for the Bianconeri. Buffon is suspended.
Bologna
Ekdal and Garics are injured, while Ramirez is suspended.
Prediction
Juventus lost to Lecce last weekend but the former Italian champions will be keen to bounce back at home against Bologna. The visitors do not have an exceptionally frightening away record and a draw is the maximum they can hope for. However, Juve should just carve out a win.
Juventus 2-1 Bologna 
