Serie A preview: Juve still hunting top spot from Milan

Juventus remain unbeaten in Serie A but may have to spend at least another week second to AC Milan with both facing winnable outings.

Antonio Conte’s Juve missed their chance to reclaim top spot on Wednesday after only managing a 0-0 draw at Parma in one of their two games in hand.

After the stalemate – Juve’s second on the trot in the league – Conte hit out at Italian referees for refusing to award his team penalties.

A visit from 12th-placed Catania on Saturday shapes as a great opportunity for Juventus to return to winning ways, and they will need their top-scorers Alessandro Matri (nine goals) and Claudio Marchisio (six) to help them regain their flair in attack.

Catania travel to Turin having built confidence after a 4-0 thrashing of Genoa last time out extended their unbeaten run to three matches.

But even a win for Juventus is likely to mean they remain a point adrift of AC Milan, who travel to struggling Cesena on Sunday.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men impressively thrashed Arsenal 4-0 in their Champions League round-of-16 first-leg meeting on Wednesday.

Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted and assisted in the win, but he will miss the clash with Cesena because of suspension.

More importantly, Allegri will be without the Swede for his team’s blockbuster meeting against Juventus on February 25.

Elsewhere, Inter Milan will be out to end a run of five matches without a win in all competitions when they host Bologna on Friday.

Fourth-placed Udinese have suffered consecutive league defeats, and will be eyeing a spot on the winner’s list when they welcome Cagliari to Stadio Friuli.

Lazio do battle with Palermo as they look to stay in the title race, while Genoa and Chievo meet on Sunday.

In other matches, Napoli travel to Stadio Artemio Franchi to meet Fiorentina on Friday, while Roma host Parma aiming to rebound from their shock loss to Siena.

Near the bottom of the table, Lecce and Siena meet and last-placed Novara – who upset Inter Milan last time out – host Atalanta.