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

ByJames Cormack|
TURIN, ITALY - DECEMBER 22: Danilo of Juventus is challenged by Gaetano Castrovilli and Erik Pulgar of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between Juventus and ACF Fiorentina at Allianz Stadium on December 22, 2020 in Turin, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY - DECEMBER 22: Danilo of Juventus is challenged by Gaetano Castrovilli and Erik Pulgar of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between Juventus and ACF Fiorentina at Allianz Stadium on December 22, 2020 in Turin, Italy. Sporting stadiums around Italy remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Massimiliano Allegri will be hoping the European iteration of his Juventus side manifests on Saturday as the Bianconeri return to Serie A action against Fiorentina.

After suffering back-to-back domestic defeats, a new look Juventus were superb in their Champions League victory over Zenit on Tuesday night. The 4-2 triumph saw Juve qualify for the knockout stage of Europe’s premier competition with two group games remaining.

Their attacking showcase in the week papered over their ghastly recent form in Serie A. Allegri’s men were pitiful in defeats to Sassuolo and Hellas Verona, with Juve languishing in ninth after 11 games.

Saturday’s opponents, Fiorentina, sit above the Old Lady in seventh despite their own inconsistency. While Vincenzo Italiano has markedly improved La Viola in almost every facet, they’ve lost five of their opening 11 Serie A contests – winning the other six. Italiano’s side have won just one of five games against the current top six.

So, while they’re improving under their progressive coach, Fiorentina have often come unstuck against superior opposition. Should the Juve from Tuesday night show up once more, La Viola’s task of inflicting a third straight Serie A defeat on the Old Lady will be a tough one.

Here’s our preview of Saturday’s contest.

How to Watch Juventus vs Fiorentina

When is kick-off? Saturday 6 November

What time is kick-off? 17:00 (BST)

Where is it played? Allianz Stadium

TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 2 (UK), Paramount+ (US)

Juventus Team News

With Aaron Ramsey returning to training, Juve are only expected to be without Mattia De Sciglio (who will return after the international break) and Moise Kean for Saturday’s clash.

The Bianconeri’s superb performance in the week may convince Allegri to retain the same starting XI for the weekend. However, the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Juan Cuadrado and Rodrigo Bentancur will be vying for recalls.

Fiorentina Team News

Fiorentina are still without summer arrival Nico Gonzalez after he tested positive for COVID-19. Aleksandr Kokorin and goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski are also out.

Dusan Vlahovic will lead the line for the visitors, with the in-form Riccardo Saponara and dynamic Riccardo Sottil expected to be the Serbian’s supporting cast in Italiano’s front three.

Predicted Lineups

Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, De Ligt, Alex Sandro; Chiesa, Locatelli, McKennie, Bernardeschi; Dybala, Morata.

Fiorentina: Terracciano; Venuti, Milenkovic, Martinez Quarta, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Torreira, Castrovilli; Sottil, Vlahovic, Saponara

Juventus’ Recent Form

Juventus 4-2 Zenit (02/10) – Champions League

Hellas Verona 2-1 Juventus (30/10) – Serie A

Juventus 1-2 Sassuolo (27/10) – Serie A

Inter Milan 1-1 Juventus (24/10) – Serie A

Zenit 0-1 Juventus (20/10) – Champions League

Fiorentina’s Recent Form

Fiorentina 3-0 Spezia (31/10) – Serie A

Lazio 1-0 Fiorentina (27/10) – Serie A

Fiorentina 3-0 Cagliari (24/10) – Serie A

Venezia 1-0 Fiorentina (18/10) – Serie A

Fiorentina 1-2 Napoli (03/10) – Serie A

Prediction

Juventus’ two attacking superstars were at their very best against Zenit. (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)
Juventus’ two attacking superstars were at their very best against Zenit. (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Allegri’s training retreat worked wonders for Juve against Zenit and despite them suffering horrendous back-to-back domestic defeats, they’ll head into this one full of confidence. When Paulo Dybala and Federico Chiesa are both on-song, the Bianconeri are almost unstoppable, and that was the case on Tuesday.

However, it’s hard to envisage a tactically astute Fiorentina making it so easy for the hosts. La Viola are brilliant pressers (see recent Inter fixture) and Juve’s build-up will be put to the test. The hosts must retain the fluidity and mutual understanding they displayed against Zenit to bypass the visitors’ pressure. Italiano, meanwhile, will look to establish control via secure possession play.

Overall, I envisage this one being a topsy-turvy encounter in which both sides will enjoy spells of sustained pressure. It’ll be close, but I’m backing Juve to avoid three straight league defeats and pick up a slender victory.

Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Fiorentina

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