Prediction: Juventus vs Sampdoria

Verdict: Juventus to Win & Both Teams to Score

Best Odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: 888sport

High-flying Sampdoria travel to Serie A leaders Juventus for their final match of 2018. Bianconeri are looking to extend their lead at the top of the table and finish the year on a high after suffering a surprise draw on Boxing Day.

Juventus

The Serie A reigning champions Juventus are marching strong towards yet another league title and have a healthy nine-point lead ahead of the second-placed Napoli. Bianconeri remain the only unbeaten side in the league and will be looking to maintain the record despite the latest setback against Atalanta.

Juventus opened the scoring early on through an own-goal from Djimsiti but fell behind after Duvan Zapata scored a brace to put Atalanta ahead near the hour-mark. Rodrigo Bentancur saw red and left The Old Lady get reduced to 10 men in the second half. Juventus’ record signing Cristiano Ronaldo came from the bench to salvage a point for Bianconeri with 12 minutes left on the clock and Juventus will now be looking to get back to winning ways against Sampdoria. Juve won five of the last six encounters with Sampdoria and have high hopes heading into the match at Allianz Stadium.  

Team News

Cristiano Ronaldo will return to the starting line-up to replace Douglas Costa.

Rodrigo Bentancur is suspended, whereas Blaise Matuidi is ready for a return after missing out the last game through a fever.

Sampdoria

Having collected 14 out of the possible 18 points in their last six matches, Sampdoria have emerged as the second-best in-form side to Juventus. I Blucerchiati have made a huge leap on the table and currently sit in fifth place in the league, one point ahead of AC Milan.

Sampdoria will be looking to remain within European places despite the fact they are well aware it will be easier said than done to remain unbeaten against a side as strong as Juventus. Sampdoria could indeed be a tough nut to crack, having scored in six straight Serie A matches away from home. The experienced striker Fabio Quagliarella will be a man to watch for the visitors in this match. The 35-year-old veteran striker and a former Juventus forward bagged a stunning backheel volley against Chievo to score his 11^th goal this season. Quagliarella got his name on the scoresheet in last eight league matches and stands as the most in-form player at Sampdoria.

Team News

Bartosz Bereszynski and Edgar Barreto miss out through injury.

Jacop Sala continues at right-back whereas Omar Colley will be vying for a chance in the starting line-up with Lorenzo Tonelli.

Key Factors to Consider

• Juventus remain the only unbeaten Serie A side
• Bianconeri won four home games in a row
• Sampdoria scored at least a goal in their last six away matches
• Fabio Quagliarella scored in eight successive Serie A games
• Juventus won six of the last seven fixtures against Sampdoria

Conclusion

Sampdoria are one of the few times to experience the joy of winning at the Allianz Stadium but Bianconeri are determined to remain unbeaten in the league this season. The Old Lady seem to have gone through a slight dip in form around Christmas but are widely expected to get back to their best and finish the year on a high.

Verdict: Juventus to Win & Both Teams to Score

Best Odds: 23/10

Bookmaker: 888sport