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| PROBABLE LINE-UPS |
JUVENTUS  Buffon Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie Vidal, Pazienza, Marchisio Pepe, Matri, Vucinic | CESENA  Antonioli Rodriguez, Benalouane, Von Bergen, Lauro Ghezzal, Guana, Parolo, Martinho Bogdani, Mutu |
Bianconeri coach Antonio Conte is expected to make two changes from the side that participated in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Napoli, as Paolo De Ceglie is set for a surprise start at left-back in place of Giorgio Chiellini, who in turn replaces Leonardo Bonucci. In addition, Andrea Pirlo will also be forced to sit the encounter out after accumulating a one-match ban, thus paving the way for Michele Pazienza to partner Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio in midfield.
Meanwhile, for the visitors, Cesena boss Daniele Arrigoni will be without Gianluca Comotto, Jorge Martinez and Giuseppe Colucci due to injury, while Luca Ceccarelli and Nicola Ravaglia are both suspended.
Unsurprisingly, the former Cagliari trainer will ring the changes from the XI that comprehensively disposed of Gubbio in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday. The alterations should see Ceccarelli, Luca Ricci, Tommaso Arrigoni, Antonio Candreva and Eder sacrified for the talents of Steve von Bergen, Marco Parolo, Abdelkader Ghezzal, Raphael Martinho and top scorer Adrian Mutu.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Juventus winger Simone Pepe's goal against Napoli was the first time he had scored in three consecutive Serie A games
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- Striker Alessandro Matri has had a direct involvement in an impressive nine of his team's 22 goals.
- The Old Lady remain the only unbeaten side in Serie A this season, with seven wins and five draws.
- Despite collecting just three points from their previous 10 games, Cesena have tripled their points tally in the last two games.
- Three of Cesena's six goals in this campaign have been scored by Adrian Mutu.
- However, Cesena have won just two of their last 22 meetings against Juventus in the top-flight.
- The Seahorses' only win in Turin came in the 1987-88 campaign; they were awarded a 2-0 win after the game was abandoned.
An Andrea Pirlo-less Juventus should dispose of the Seahorses with relative ease if they are serious about their title aspirations. Some of their more prominent performers have begun stepping up to the plate in recent weeks, therefore giving less cause for concern about the absence of the gifted playmaker in the middle of the pitch.
Editor's Prediction
Juventus 2-0 Cesena 
