After having their 16-game unbeaten streak snapped by Inter Milan in the Derby d’Italia, Juventus are back in Serie A action this Saturday night as they visit Cagliari.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side impressed last Sunday but a controversial sequence that culminated in Hakan Calhanoglu converting his penalty at the second attempt was enough to hand a resolute Nerazzurri all three points.
Inter’s first victory at the Allianz Stadium since 2012 re-ignited their Scudetto challenge while simultaneously all but ending Juve’s faint hopes. The Old Lady will now be concerned with the rising threats from down below in the race for the top four.
However, they will be expected to claim victory on Matchday 32 against a Cagliari side that hasn’t won since they beat Torino on the road at the end of February. Walter Mazzarri has been hamstrung by an injury crisis in recent weeks after overseeing a remarkable resurgence at the start of 2022 which lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Their recent form, though, means they’re now just three points adrift of safety with 18th-placed Venezia boasting a game in hand on the Sardinians.
Cagliari have lost their last 11 meetings with Juventus, scoring just two goals in the process.
Cagliari vs Juventus preview
Here’s our preview of Saturday’s Serie A clash between Cagliari and Juventus.
How to watch Cagliari vs Juventus
When is kick-off? Saturday 9 April
What time is kick-off? 19:45 (BST)
Where is it played? Unipol Domus Stadium
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 1 (UK), Paramount+ (US)
Cagliari Team News
Cagliari’s injury woes has seen their form slide and they’ll be without Kevin Strootman, Nahitan Nandez and Leonardo Pavoletti for Saturday’s game. Luca Ceppitelli and Luca Gagliano, meanwhile, are both doubts.
Alberto Grassi is suspended after his sending-off in the defeat at Udinese.
Juventus Team News
Teamwork 👏🏻 #LB19 #FinoAllaFine pic.twitter.com/GpRM8QxwhJ
— Leonardo Bonucci (@bonucci_leo19) April 6, 2022
Mattia De Sciglio and Alvaro Morata both picked up one-game suspensions for different reasons in the Derby d’Italia and will miss Saturday’s game as a result. Moise Kean should replace Morata in the XI, while the returning Luca Pellegrini is poised to start at left-back with Alex Sandro dropping to the bench.
Leonardo Bonucci is back in contention following a drawn-out spell on the sidelines. The veteran Italian could start on Saturday, potentially replacing Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutchman may be gifted a rest by Max Allegri, and Bonucci could partner Giorgio Chiellini at the back.
Manuel Locatelli is out for the next month with a knee injury, meaning the midfield should be comprised of Arthur Melo, Adrien Rabiot and Denis Zakaria.
Federico Chiesa, Kaio Jorge and Weston McKennie remain sidelined.
Cagliari vs Juventus Predicted Lineups
Cagliari: Cragno; Goldaniga, Lovato, Altare; Zappa, Deiola, Baselli, Dalbert, Bellanova; Pereiro, Pedro.
Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Pellegrini; Arthur, Zakaria, Rabiot; Dybala, Vlahovic, Kean.
Cagliari’s Recent Form
Udinese 5-1 Cagliari (03/04) – Serie A
Cagliari 0-1 AC Milan (19/03) – Serie A
Spezia 2-0 Cagliari (12/03) – Serie A
Cagliari 0-3 Lazio (05/03) – Serie A
Torino 1-2 Cagliari (27/02) – Serie A
Juventus’ Recent Form
Juventus 0-1 Inter Milan (03/04) – Serie A
Juventus 2-0 Salernitana (20/03) – Serie A
Juventus 0-3 Villarreal (16/03) – Champions League
Sampdoria 1-3 Juventus (12/03) – Serie A
Juventus 1-0 Spezia (06/03) – Serie A
Prediction
Juventus have been blessed with a kind fixture in the wake of their Derby d’Italia defeat as they attempt to hold off Jose Mourinho’s surging AS Roma in the top-four race.
Hit by an injury crisis, Cagliari, following a brilliant start to 2022 which massively bolstered their hopes of survival, have lost their last four in Serie A and they’re primed to make it five defeats on the bounce this weekend.
The Bianconeri impressed last Sunday and I think the controversy surrounding the defeat will galvanise this group of players for the remainder of the season. Presuming Max Allegri retains the aggressive and proactive approach from the derby, this should be a comfortable victory on the road for Juve.
Prediction: Cagliari 0-2 Juventus