Roma v Juventus preview, predictions & possible XIs
Roma welcome Serie A champions Juventus for a top-of-the-table clash in the Italian capital this Sunday evening.
The Giallorossi saw a five match winning streak at home — that included victories over AC Milan and Napoli — come to an end last time out by Juve’s city rivals Torino.
It’s not been an easy title defence for Juve, who are level on points with leaders Inter Milan, and on their last trip to the Eternal City, they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Lazio.
Read on for our Roma v Juventus preview, predictions, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Roma vs Juventus and where can I watch live?
Competition: Serie A
Venue: Stadio Olimpico
Date: Sunday, 12 January 2020
Kick-off: 7:45 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Premier 1
Last five meetings: Roma vs Juventus
12 May 2019: Roma 2-0 Juventus (Serie A)
22 Dec 2018: Juventus 1-0 Roma (Serie A)
13 May 2018: Roma 0-0 Juventus (Serie A)
23 Dec 2017: Juventus 1-0 Roma (Serie A)
14 May 2017: Roma 3-1 Juventus (Serie A)
Aggregate Score: Roma (WLDLW) 5-3 Juventus (LWDWL)
Ones to watch
Roma: Lorenzo Pellegrini
Lorenzo Pellegrini might not technically be a one-club man, but he’s Roma through and through and this season represents talent starting to be fulfilled. Although a midfielder by trade, the Roman has made the right-back position his own and he’ll be continually tested this weekend at both ends of the pitch.
Key stat: No Roma player has created more chances in Serie A than Lorenzo Pellegrini (35) this season.
Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo
To think some were saying he was having a poor season. Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer the explosive footballer that gave defender’s nightmares, but he’s becoming something even more frightening, a poacher with no remorse. Chris Smalling and company have been warned.
Key stat: Cristiano Ronaldo is only the second player after Alexis Sanchez to net a hat-trick in Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League.
Team news
Roma
Paulo Fonseca goes into this weekend’s showdown against reigning Italian champions Juventus missing up to seven players. Among those in the physio room are full-backs Davide Santon and Davide Zappacosta plus Bryan Cristante, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Javier Pastore and Justin Kluivert.
Predicted XI: López; Florenzi, Smalling, Mancini, Kolarov; Diawara, Veretout; Zaniolo, Pellegrini, Perotti; Dzeko.
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Juventus
Merih Demiral is expected to keep Matthijs de Ligt on the bench for a third consecutive Serie A game. Maurizio Sarri is unlikely to deviate away from the 3-4-1-2 system — with Paolo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo up top — that served them well last time out against Cagliari. Giorgio Chiellini and Sami Khedira both remain sidelined through injury.
Predicted XI: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Demiral, Bonucci, Sandro; Rabiot, Pjanic, Matuidi; Ramsey; Dybala, Ronaldo.
Squawka prediction
You have to go back to May 2014 for the last time Juventus left Roma with all three points. Back then, Antonio Conte’s men required a 90th-minute strike from Pablo Osvaldo. It’s not going to be straightforward this weekend but we can see the Old Lady eeking out a slender victory.
