Prediction: Monza vs Juventus

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Hoping to briefly climb to the top of the Serie A standings, Juventus will travel to the Stadio Brianteo on Friday night when they meet Monza.

Monza

Starting with the hosts, while Monza might have been disappointed after narrowly missing out on a top-half finish among Italy’s elite, Raffaele Palladino’s men have their sights firmly set on mounting another 1op-10 charge. However, while the Reds might open Friday’s showdown sat just three points adrift of skyrocketing into the European places, the one-time Juventus winger finds his squad in the midst of a recent wobble. Marking their return from November’s international break with a 1-1 draw away at Cagliari, the Biancorossi have recorded just a single win from any of their previous five appearances. Likewise, forced to settle for a single point in four of their last five contests at the Stadio Brianteo, Monza do have the feel of a squad seeking some recent stability. Nevertheless, claiming a famous 2-0 victory when they travelled to Turin back on January 29th, Friday’s hosts will be desperate to spring another heavyweight upset here.

Team News

Dealing with a long-term injury issue and not making a single appearance since the middle of September, Monza will once again be without 30-year-old Gianluca Caprari here. Likewise, the Biancorossi will also be without the services of both Franco Carboni and former Torino defender Armando Izzo.

Coming off the bench and bagging a second-half equaliser away at Cagliari last weekend, Mirko Maric will be hoping to make a first Serie A start since August on Friday night. Despite drawing a blank in five of his previous six domestic appearances, 21-year-old Lorenzo Colombo should spearhead Monza’s charge.

Juventus

As for the visitors, while Juventus might have been dealing with a string of public issues last season, the Italian icons have come roaring back this time around. Flying out of the traps since opening up the 2023/24 campaign and tipped as a leading contender to punch a Champions League return, some around Turin also have their sights set on mounting a genuine title charge. Knowing that another victory on Friday night would see them leapfrog Inter Milan to top spot, the Old Lady will be desperate to make another Serie A statement here. Continuing to shine on either side of November’s international break, Massimiliano Allegri’s men are unbeaten in each of their last eight straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to September 23rd. Despite getting hit with a 2-0 loss when they welcomed Monza to Turin back in January, the mood in Juve’s camp should be at a continued high.

Team News

Dealing with a recent thigh injury and not making a single Serie A appearance since the start of October, Juventus are once again expected to be without one-time Manchester City defender Danilo on Friday night. Likewise, the Old Lady are still sweating over the fitness of 23-year-old striker Timothy Weah this weekend.

Bagging his first Serie A strike since the middle of September against Inter Milan last weekend, Dusan Vlahovic should once again spearhead Allegri’s charge here. The Serbia international will be joined in the final third by attacking talisman Federico Chiesa.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met on Serie A duties back on January 29th, Monza picked up a famous 2-0 victory in Turin.
• Juventus are unbeaten in each of their previous eight straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to September 23rd.
• Monza have claimed just a single Serie A victory from their previous five top-flight appearances.
• Likewise, Friday’s hosts have seen four of their last five showdowns at the Stadio Brianteo finish in a stalemate.
• Juventus have recorded a clean sheet in six of their previous seven Serie A contests outside of Turin.

Conclusion

While Monza might open Friday’s showdown with just a single win from their previous five Serie A appearances, the Biancorossi have proven that they can be a tough test for any of Italy’s elite. Landing a stunning 2-0 victory when they travelled to Turin back on January 29th, Allegri’s men could face a rugged test this weekend. However, knowing that they can at least briefly climb to the top of the Serie A standings, the Old Lady have gained a reputation for their continued success on the road. Keeping a clean sheet in six of their previous seven showdowns away from the Allianz, chances could come at a premium here.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster