Juventus vs Cagliari

Juventus’ pursuit of a first Serie A title in four years continues at the Allianz Stadium against a resurgent Cagliari side.

Juventus unfathomably won 1-0 at Fiorentina last weekend despite facing 25 shots on goal and scoring from one of just two attempts on target, making it four league wins on the trot and maintaining a two-point distance from top-placed Inter Milan. Manager Massimiliano Allegri cannot care less about his side’s ‘ugly’ football, as his men come into proceedings on the back of six straight clean sheets in Serie A (W5, D1). It’s been almost a year since Juventus enjoyed a longer such run, testifying to the team’s notable growth this season, highlighting the potential for a 12th win in 13 H2Hs (W11, L1). Adding to this sentiment, since a 1-1 draw against Bologna in their first home league game of the season, ‘I Bianconeri’ have won four in a row, including the last three ‘to nil.’

Meanwhile, not long ago, promoted Cagliari seemed destined for a quick return to Serie B, but they’ve turned their fortunes around after October’s international break. A 2-2 draw at Salernitana initiated the visitors’ resurgence after a four-game losing league streak, proving a springboard for a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W3, D1), bookended by a 2-1 home triumph over Genoa last weekend. On the downside, Claudio Ranieri’s men are still waiting for their first Serie A win on the road this season (D2, L3), in large part thanks to their leaky backline that has conceded 2+ goals across their last four league travels. Ranieri himself won’t fancy this trip after winning just three of his previous 23 managerial H2Hs against Juventus (D4, L16).