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

James Cormack|
(From L) Juventus' Italian goalkeeper Mattia Perin, Juventus' Italian midfielder Fabio Miretti, Juventus' Italian defender Daniele Rugani, Juventus' Italian defender Mattia De Sciglio, Juventus' Brazilian defender Alex Sandro and Juventus' Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci celebrate at the end of the UEFA Champions League Group H football match between Juventus and Malmo on December 8, 2021 at the Juventus stadium in Turin. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
(From L) Juventus' Italian goalkeeper Mattia Perin, Juventus' Italian midfielder Fabio Miretti, Juventus' Italian defender Daniele Rugani, Juventus' Italian defender Mattia De Sciglio, Juventus' Brazilian defender Alex Sandro and Juventus' Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci celebrate at the end of the UEFA Champions League Group H football match between Juventus and Malmo on December 8, 2021 at the Juventus stadium in Turin. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Fresh off the high of winning their Champions League group on Wednesday, Juventus return to Serie A action on Saturday as they visit Venezia.

The Bianconeri flattered to deceive in their 1-0 victory over Malmo, but Chelsea’s 3-3 draw with Zenit meant they topped Group H at the expense of the European champions.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side have shown marked improvements in their two most recent Serie A victories, and they’ll be desperate to build on the momentum gathered from Wednesday’s high when they visit the scenic Pier Luigi Penzo. With the top of the Serie A table condensing, Juventus, who have three winnable fixtures to close out 2021, will be looking to make inroads on the top four.

Venezia, meanwhile, head into Saturday’s bout on a three-game losing streak after claiming back-to-back victories on either side of the November international break. One of which, the 3-2 win over AS Roma, will be remembered in Venice for years to come.

Last time out, they let a three-goal lead slip to Hellas Verona in the Venetian derby and lost 4-3. Paolo Zanetti’s side are in dire need of a pick-me-up, but Saturday’s fixture will be difficult against a buoyant Bianconeri.

Here’s our preview of Saturday’s Serie A contest between Venezia and Juventus.

How to Watch Venezia vs Juventus

When is kick-off? Saturday 11 December

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

Where is it played? Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo

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

Venezia Team News

Venezia will once again be without joint top-scorer David Okereke with centre-back Pietro Ceccaroni suspended after he was sent off in the Venetian derby.

Icelandic midfielder Arnor Sigurdsson is a doubt, but Paolo Zanetti should have an otherwise fully fit squad to select from.

Juventus Team News

Weston McKennie is unlikely to be fit for Saturday’s game. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Weston McKennie is unlikely to be fit for Saturday’s game. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Mattia De Sciglio made his return off the bench against Malmo on Wednesday and is in contention to start on Saturday. With Dejan Kulusevski out, Juan Cuadrado could start further upfield with De Sciglio slotting in at right-back.

However, young Koni De Winter impressed in the week and is an option for Allegri at full-back.

The manager isn’t confident that he’ll have Weston McKennie available for the weekend, with Rodrigo Bentancur poised to continue alongside Manuel Locatelli in midfield. Paulo Dybala and Federico Bernardeschi should keep their places in the XI, with Luca Pellegrini likely replacing Alex Sandro at left-back.

Venezia vs Juventus Predicted Lineups

Venezia: Romero; Mazzocchi, Caldara, Svoboda, Molinaro; Kiyine, Vacca, Crnigoj; Bjarkason, Johnsen, Henry.

Juventus: Szczesny; De Sciglio, De Ligt, Chiellini, Pellegrini; Locatelli, Bentancur; Cuadrado, Dybala, Bernardeschi; Morata.

Venezia’s Recent Form

Venezia 3-4 Hellas Verona (05/12) – Serie A

Atalanta 4-0 Venezia (30/11) – Serie A

Venezia 0-2 Inter Milan (27/11) – Serie A

Bologna 0-1 Venezia (21/11) – Serie A

Tabor Sezana 2-1 Venezia (13/11) – Friendly

Juventus’ Recent Form

Juventus 1-0 Malmo (08/12) – Champions League

Juventus 2-0 Genoa (05/12) – Serie A

Salernitana 0-2 Juventus (30/11) – Serie A

Juventus 0-1 Atalanta (27/11) – Serie A

Chelsea 4-0 Juventus (23/11) – Champions League

Prediction

Juventus are expected to ease to victory on Saturday. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Juventus are expected to ease to victory on Saturday. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Paolo Zanetti’s newly promoted Venezia have been an interesting watch this season, and they’ve certainly exceeded expectations. However, despite Zanetti’s competence as a coach, this is a side that struggles to score goals and they’ll further be hindered by the absence of Okereke on Saturday. He’s a big loss for the home side.

Thus, Juventus should make it three wins from three in Serie A. While they were pretty mundane in the victory over Malmo, Allegri’s side will be buzzing having qualified for the Champions League round of 16 as group winners. The Bianconeri’s creative woes are slowly dissipating following the manager’s change in tack, although their inefficiency in front of goal is a concern.

Overall, I think this one could play out akin to the Salernitana victory. Venezia’s style isn’t too dissimilar, meaning Juve should be able to control the contest through secure possession play and well-constructed pressing.

Prediction: Venezia 0-2 Juventus

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