Prediction: Sampdoria vs Juventus

Verdict: Juventus win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: bet365

Serie A returns following the international break and it brings with it a number of huge matches in the league as the competition heats up. Second-placed Juventus are looking to maintain their good run of form as they travel to play high-flying Sampdoria on Sunday.

Sampdoria

What a season it is proving to be for Sampdoria. After 11 games they have taken 23 points, meaning they are right up in the mix for the European places this term. Seven wins, two draws and just two defeats is an outstanding record, and they are actually eclipsing former-superpower AC Milan, who are currently one place and four points below this season’s surprise package. In their last five games, they have managed to take 12 of a possible 15 points, with four wins and a single loss. While Sampdoria have been impressive at the back, conceding just 13 goals in 11 games, they have been superb going forward, netting 24 goals this season. Fabio Quagliarella has been their main-man, scoring seven goals and assisting a further three times. What will be most telling for the side now is how well they are able to maintain their momentum throughout the season. Too often has a side come out of the blue in the first portion of the campaign, only for the wheels to fall off when the festive period arrives. Sampdoria will, of course, be looking to secure their safety before anything else, but their ambition should not be tethered by the fact they are currently rubbing shoulder with the likes of Roma and AC Milan. Instead, they should push on and look to turn this season from one with a good start, to a campaign in which they excel throughout.

Team News

Sampdoria are in superb shape in the league, while their treatment room is currently empty, which may be a huge factor as to why they have been able to embark on such an impressive run, while their list of suspensions is also non-existent.

Juventus

Juventus return to club action after an international break that caused heartache for the entirety of Italy, but it was felt nowhere more severely than in Turin. Italy fell to a 1-0 aggregate defeat at the hands of Sweden, which saw both Giorgio Chiellini and the bastion of Italian football that is Gianluigi Buffon hang up their boots. They will feel like they have a point to prove when they return, and they will not want to taste defeat once again. Juve have been in fine form in their last five games, winning four and losing just once. This has allowed the reigning champions to cut the gap between themselves and leaders Napoli to just a single points, with Juventus well and truly in the title race again. 35 goals scored is the highest in the league, but they have conceded 11 times this season, which shows they have not been at their best in defence this campaign. With just one defeat this season though, they have maintained that almost invincible aura. A win over Sampdoria would allow them to keep the pressure on the leaders, while it would also help to relieve some of the footballing heartaches that the Italians have been feeling this week.

Team News

Juventus have no new suspensions to worry about, but they may be without winger Juan Cuadrado who is suffering from muscle fatigue.

Key Factors To Consider

Juventus are on a four-game winning run, while they have won 10 games from a possible 12 this season.

Juventus have scored 14 goals in their last four league games.

Sampdoria have taken 12 points from a possible 15 in their last five games.

The hosts have netted 13 goals in their last four league games.

The two sides are separated by just eight points after 11 games.

Conclusion

Sampdoria have been enjoying an outstanding season of late, and they look like a genuine contender to take a European place come the end of the season. Of course, their target is safety, and they will be doing all they can to keep their feet on the ground, and they will know that games against teams like Juventus will show the step up that they still have to make. For Juve, this is a must win. They will feel Napoli will win again at the weekend, meaning they cannot afford to lose ground on the leaders and potentially go behind Inter Milan too. While Sampdoria are a tough side to beat at home, Juventus will fancy their chances of taking all three points on Sunday.

Verdict: Juventus win

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: bet365