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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
GENOA  Frey Rossi, Roger, Kaladze, Moretti Jankovic, Kucka, Biondini, Sculli Gilardino, Palacio | JUVENTUS  Buffon Lichtsteiner, Caceres, Vidal, De Ceglie Marrone, Pirlo, Marchisio Pepe, Borriello, Vucinic |
With Luca Antonelli, Cesare Bovo and Andreas Granqvist all out, coach Pasquale Marino is forced to name a makeshift defence, as Roger Carvalho and Marco Rossi should fill in at centre-back and right-back respectively to replace Granqvist and Giandomenico Mesto, who is to be dropped from the XI that drew 2-2 with Lecce last weekend.
However, the biggest news sees the return of Alberto Gilardino, who will partner Rodrigo Palacio up front for the Rossoblu. As a result, Giuseppe Sculli will be forced to play out on the left-hand side of midfield, despite his two-goal salvo against the Serie A strugglers.
Meanwhile for Juventus, they too have troubles at the back, with Leonardo Bonucci's suspension, incurred during the 1-1 draw with Bologna, only adding to the injury woes of key duo Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini. To compensate, expect Arturo Vidal to fill in alongside Martin Caceres at centre-back.
Fortunately for young midfielder Luca Marrone, he will be the biggest winner out of the Old Lady's current lack of numbers, as he is set to replace the Chilean in midfield. Also, regardless of his latest disappointing performance, Marco Borriello should be given the chance to redeem himself ahead of Alessandro Matri in attack.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- Genoa have lost more times against Juventus than any other Serie A opponent.
- They have won just one of their last seven home games against Juventus.
- Genoa are also winless in their past five league fixtures, losing three of these.
- Juventus' Alessandro Matri has scored in both of his games against Genoa in a Bianconeri jersey.
- However, Antonio Conte's men have been held to a draw in five of their last six league games, including the last three.
- The Old Lady have also drawn six of their last eight away games in this campaign.
Prediction
Genoa currently have no problems in finding the back of the net, but it's their deficiencies at the back which continue to haunt them - in stark contrast to Juventus, who hold the key to the most watertight defence on the peninsula, but currently are finding trouble at the other end. Therefore, a draw seems the most likely outcome, frustrating Antonio Conte once more in the process.
Editor's Prediction
Genoa 1-1 Juventus 
