The games are coming thick and fast in Serie A as a winless Juventus visit Spezia on Wednesday evening.
The Bianconeri are enjoying their worst start to a league campaign in 60 years after accumulating a mere two points from their opening four games. However, following tricky encounters against Luciano Spalletti’s 100% Napoli and a resilient AC Milan, a trio of winnable fixtures await Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
The first arrives on Wednesday against Spezia where Thiago Motta will be looking to build on Sunday’s dramatic triumph over Venezia. The Aquilotti’s maiden victory of the campaign means they head into Wednesday’s fixture two points better off than their opponents.
An “angry” Allegri will expect nothing less than three points when they travel to the Alberto Picco. His side started superbly against the Rossoneri before succumbing to conservatism in the second half, but there was nonetheless a foundation for the returning manager to build upon. Let’s see if the visitors vent their frustrations to good effect on Wednesday.
Here’s our preview of the Matchday 5 bout.
How to Watch Spezia vs Juventus
When is kick-off? Tuesday 22 September
What time is kick-off? 17:30 (BST)
Where is it played? Stadio Alberto Picco
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 1 (UK), Paramount+ (US)
Spezia Team News
Spezia will be without centre-back Martin Erlic after he sustained a hamstring injury in the win over Venezia. Petko Hristov is likely to deputise in Erlic’s absence, with Motta poised to retain the 3-4-3 that worked a treat on the weekend.
Juventus Team News
Setting sights on #SpeziaJuve 💪
— JuventusFC 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@juventusfcen) September 20, 2021
Alvaro Morata picked up an adductor strain in the draw to Milan and is unlikely to start on Wednesday. Thus, Moise Kean is in line to make his first start since returning to the club in the summer.
Federico Chiesa is also poised to return to Allegri’s XI after he earned minutes off the bench on Sunday. The Italian could come in for Adrien Rabiot, which would signal an alteration to the manager’s 4-4-2. Aaron Ramsey and Weston McKennie are also pushing for starts in this one, with Matthijs de Ligt set to replace one of the centre-back veterans.
Arthur Melo and Kaio Jorge remain sidelined for the Bianconeri, although both are edging closer to returns.
Predicted Lineups
Spezia: Zoet; Amian, Hristov, Nikolaou; Ferrer, Sala, Maggiore, Bastoni; Verde, Manaj, Gyasi
Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo, de Ligt, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado, Locatelli, McKennie, Chiesa; Dybala, Kean.
Spezia’s Recent Form
Venezia 1-2 Spezia (19/09) – Serie A
Spezia 0-1 Udinese (12/09) – Serie A
Lazio 6-1 Spezia (28/08) – Serie A
Cagliari 2-2 Spezia (23/08) – Serie A
Pordenone 1-3 Spezia (13/08) – Coppa Italia
Juventus’ Recent Form
Juventus 1-1 AC Milan (19/09) – Serie A
Malmo 0-3 Juventus (14/09) – Champions League
Napoli 2-1 Juventus (11/09) – Serie A
Juventus 0-1 Empoli (28/08) – Serie A
Udinese 2-2 Juventus (22/08) – Serie A
Prediction
Thiago Motta’s switch to a 3-4-3 should bring Spezia more success considering the natural balance the system provides across the pitch. Thus, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Juventus are taken aback in the opening stages. It may take some time to work the hosts out.
Nevertheless, despite Morata’s absence, Juventus should finally grab their first Serie A victory of the season on Wednesday.
They must build on and attempt to replicate their opening 45 minutes against Milan where they pressed brilliantly and attacked with such fluidity. Federico Chiesa will be eager to kick-start his 2021/22 season, while Moise Kean goes in search of his first Juve goal since returning to the club. I think the visitors win here relatively comfortably, although Spezia might make it tricky early on.
Prediction: Spezia 1-3 Juventus