Juventus vs AS Roma preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Juventus play host to AS Roma on Sunday night in the blockbuster matchup of Matchday 8 in Serie A.

The clash sees Massimiliano Allegri pit his wits against Jose Mourinho, who took the Roma job in the summer following his dismissal from Tottenham Hotspur. The two managers have met eight times in their careers, with Mourinho winning four and Allegri two.

The Juve boss will be hoping to improve his record against the Special One at the weekend as his Bianconeri side seek to claim their fourth win on the bounce in Serie A. Their upturn in form before the October break left them seventh in the table, four points adrift of Sunday’s opponents in fourth.

The Giallorossi have won five of their opening seven outings, but their two defeats have both come on the road. It’s tough to assess just how good this Mourinho-led side is, but a win in Turin on Sunday will certainly quieten most sceptics.

Here’s our preview of Sunday’s night’s Serie A encounter.

How to Watch Juventus vs Roma

When is kick-off? Sunday 17 October

What time is kick-off? 19:45 (BST)

Where is it played? Allianz Stadium

TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 1 (UK), Paramount+ (US)

Juventus Team News

Adrien Rabiot will miss Sunday’s game after he tested positive for COVID-19 while away on international duty with France. The midfielder is currently in quarantine and won’t be available for selection.

Otherwise, Max Allegri should have a full contingent of players to choose from. The club have avoided another debacle over their South American stars, while Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata both looked to have recovered from their respective injuries. Neither is expected to start, however.

Arthur Melo is also back in contention, as is Kaio Jorge.

Roma Team News

There are concerns over the fitness of summer signing Tammy Abraham, who picked up a knock in England’s 1-1 draw with Hungary. The impressive forward should be fit enough to make Mourinho’s squad, but he might not start Sunday’s game.

Thus, Eldor Shomurodov could be given the chance to lead the Giallorossi’s line.

Elsewhere, Chris Smalling is out with a hamstring injury, meaning Roger Ibanez is expected to partner Gianluca Mancini in defence. Leonardo Spinazzola is a long-term absentee.

Predicted Lineups

Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Alex Sandro; Cuadrado, Locatelli, Bentancur, Chiesa; Bernardeschi, Kean.

Roma: Patricio; Karsdorp, Mancini, Ibanez, Vina; Darboe, Veretout; Zaniolo, Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan; Shomurodov.

Juventus’ Recent Form

Juventus 2-1 Alessandria (09/10) – Friendly

Torino 0-1 Juventus (02/10) – Serie A

Juventus 1-0 Chelsea (29/09) – Champions League

Juventus 3-2 Sampdoria (26/09) – Serie A

Spezia 2-3 Juventus (22/09) – Serie A

Roma’s Recent Form

Roma 2-0 Empoli (03/10) – Serie A

Zorya Luhansk 0-3 Roma (30/09) – Europa Conference League

Lazio 3-2 Roma (26/09) – Serie A

Roma 1-0 Udinese (23/09) – Serie A

Hellas Verona 3-2 Roma (19/09) – Serie A

Prediction

I think Max Allegri will try to adopt a similar game plan to the one Andrea Pirlo produced against Paulo Fonseca’s Roma last season. Juventus’ 2-0 triumph that day was one of their most convincing displays of the Pirlo era. The Bianconeri ceded territory and control to the possession-dominant Giallorossi, luring them into a false sense of security, before picking them off in transition with impressive efficiency.

After a shaky start, Allegri is starting to trust his defensive block more and more by the game. Thus, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Juve sit deep on Sunday and play on the counter. Roma must be compact in defensive transition if they’re to exit Turin with a result.

This is a tough one to call in what will undoubtedly be a chess match between two managers cut from the same cloth. Honestly, a stalemate wouldn’t surprise me. Although, the contest could be decided by a moment of magic from the purring Lorenzo Pellegrini or clutch Federico Chiesa.

Prediction: Juventus 0-0 AS Roma.