Juventus will look to build on their midweek Champions League heroics when they host bottom-of-the-table Venezia in Serie A on Saturday evening. The Bianconeri stunned Manchester City with a 2-0 victory in Turin, but their domestic form has been less impressive of late.
Thiago Motta’s side currently sit sixth in the Serie A standings, having drawn nine of their 15 matches so far. This run of stalemates has dented their Scudetto ambitions, despite remaining the only unbeaten team in the league. The Old Lady will be eager to convert draws into wins as they welcome a Venezia side fighting for survival.
Juventus’ defensive prowess has been a hallmark under Motta’s leadership. They have faced the fewest shots and shots on target per game in Serie A this season. However, their attacking output has not always matched their defensive solidity, even after significant summer investment.
The midweek triumph over Manchester City saw Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie find the net, while goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio made crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. This performance will have boosted confidence within the squad as they return to league action.
Venezia, meanwhile, are enduring a torrid campaign following their promotion via the Serie B playoffs last season. The Lagunari sit three points from safety, having won just twice all season and not tasted victory since October. Their away form has been particularly poor, claiming the fewest points and conceding the most goals on their travels.
History does not favour the visitors, who have lost their last 10 top-flight meetings with Juventus in Turin, conceding an average of 2.8 goals per game. Venezia’s last league success against the Old Lady dates back to April 1962, highlighting the monumental task facing Eusebio Di Francesco’s men.
One bright spot for Venezia has been the form of Gaetano Oristanio, who rescued a point against fellow strugglers Como last week. However, the team’s tendency to squander leads has been costly, with 16 points dropped from winning positions this season – joint-most across Europe’s top five leagues.
Team News
Juventus have been boosted by the return of several key players from injury. Vlahovic, McKennie, Nicolo Savona, and Douglas Luiz all featured midweek, though Andrea Cambiaso remains doubtful with an ankle sprain. Nico Gonzalez is nearing a comeback, but Juan Cabal, Bremer, and Arkadiusz Milik are still sidelined.
The Old Lady boasts some of Serie A’s most exciting young talent, with Kenan Yildiz and Samuel Mbangula likely to feature. Mbangula scored Juve’s late equalizer against Bologna last weekend and will be pushing for more minutes.
Venezia will look to Joel Pohjanpalo to lead the line, supported by the aforementioned Oristanio. Former Juventus youth product Hans Nicolussi Caviglia has been a bright spot in midfield for the Lagunari, outscoring all of Juve’s central midfielders combined this season.
Di Francesco, who recently received a vote of confidence from the Venezia board, will be without Alfred Duncan and Richie Sagrado due to injury.
Expected Starting XIs
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Rouhi; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic
Venezia: Stankovic; Idzes, Svoboda, Altare; Candela, Doumbia, Nicolussi Caviglia, Zampano; Busio, Oristanio; Pohjanpalo
Match Prediction
While Juventus have struggled to turn draws into wins in Serie A, their midweek performance against Manchester City should provide a significant confidence boost. Venezia’s poor away record and historical struggles in Turin make them heavy underdogs.
Expect the Old Lady’s quality to shine through as they look to close the gap on the league leaders. Vlahovic will be eager to add to his goal tally, while Juventus’ miserly defense should prove too strong for Venezia’s limited attack.
Prediction: Juventus 3-0 Venezia
