Prediction: Juventus vs AC Milan

Verdict: Home win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: bet365

Sitting two points clear at the Serie A summit, Juventus will be under some sort of pressure when they host red-hot AC Milan, arguably the league’s in-form side. Five successive wins saw the Rossoneri seriously close the gap behind Champions League positions and they will fancy their chances of upsetting the reigning champions as well.

Juventus

Despite looking at the backs of Napoli from the very start of the league campaign, Serie A holders Juventus never really got nervous, but they rather only worried about their own performances and such an approach has finally produced results. Two slip-ups from the Azzurri saw the Bianconeri climb to the league summit, where they remained even after the unexpected setback against relegation-threatened SPAL.

The international break gave the players an opportunity to refresh ahead of the business end of the season, which starts with high-profile clashes against AC Milan and Real Madrid. Even though both are played in Turin, Juventus boss Max Allegri will have to prioritise and potentially field a somewhat weakened side in one of those, so there is a chance some key men will be rested in Saturday’s clash against the Rossoneri. Having won last five league games at home without conceding, the Bianconeri have every right to feel optimistic at the moment.

Team News

Alex Sandro looks set to miss out with a muscle problem, while Sami Khedira and Giorgio Chiellini may not be risked. Juan Cuadrado and Federico Bernardeschi remain sidelined.

AC Milan

Even with the heavy summer spending, AC Milan experienced plenty of problems in the opening exchanges and the club chiefs eventually decided to hand over the reigns to club soldier Gennaro Gattuso. The talented manager needed quite some time to turn things around, but he eventually helped the team show massive improvement and miraculously kick-start their top 4 bid.

The excellent run of seven wins and a draw in last eight games saw the Rossoneri climb to sixth in the standings, but they are still some five points behind Champions League positions. This basically means AC Milan need to continue the rich vein of form for as long as possible and hope that rivals AS Roma, Inter Milan and Lazio will be slipping up at the same time. The Rossoneri also have a chance to make the title chase interesting again by getting something from Turin, but they will be concerned with their own objectives first and foremost.

Team News

Full-back Andrea Conti looks set to miss the remainder of the season, while Alessio Romagnoli and Davide Calabria should return.

Key Factors to Consider

• Juventus won last five home games in Serie A without conceding
• AC Milan on a five-match winning run in the league
• Juventus won last three competitive meetings with the Rossoneri
• The Bianconeri kept six clean sheets in last seven
• AC Milan unbeaten in last six on the road (W4 D2)

Conclusion

Even though AC Milan have been in excellent form of late, it is Juventus who usually win these kinds of games as they are one of Europe’s best result-oriented sides. The Rossoneri can be trusted to make the match interesting, but we don’t think they can upset the reigning champions in Turin.

Verdict: Home win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: bet365