Juventus' season appeared to have collapsed last weekend when they were destroyed 3-0 by Napoli in Naples. An Edinson Cavani hat-trick forced the Bianconeri to their second successive defeat of the new year and kept them sixth in the league standings on 31 points, nine points off the pace.
However, light appeared at the end of the tunnel on Thursday evening as the Old Lady threaded their way into the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia by defeating Catania 2-0 in Turin in the Round of 16. Goalkeeper-legend Gianluigi Buffon made his return from injury in the team in that game and confidence appears to have re-inflated for the Bianconeri.
Winning against Bari wouldn't ideally be a problem for the Italian giants especially as the visitors are struggling at the foot of the table and are one step into the second division already. But Juve's form is shaky and they will need to secure a certain degree of confidence and stability against Catania.
The Evaporating Hope
Bari are virtually dead and buried as residing at the foot of the Serie A table the Galletti have managed to collect just 14 points from 19 matches, a considerable five points off safety. It is looking increasing likely that Giampiero Ventura's side will drop into the second division, until and unless of course there is a ridiculous miracle.
Before their 2-0 defeat of Bologna last weekend, though, hope had flickered after Bari registered their first victory on the road in the league this campaign as they defeated Lecce 1-0 away. However, losing at home to fellow relegation rivals is certainly going to deflate their confidence and one suspects that they would go down to Juventus on Turin.
Nevertheless, Bari can still aim for something in Turin given that Juventus have only just won their first game of the new year and could still be caught off-guard.
TEAM NEWS
Juventus
Rinaudo, Martinez, De Ceglie, Iaquinta, Quagliarella and Luca Toni are injured and will miss the game against Bari. Felipe Melo is suspended.
Bari
Almiron, Ghezzal, Salvatore Masiello and Barreto are unavailable for the trip to Turin because of injuries.
Prediction
A win for Juventus is virtually guaranteed. Bari could still create something but the Bianconeri should still win the match.
Juventus 2-0 Bari 
