Serie A holders Juventus host Inter Milan in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday evening. The Bianconeri have endured a stop-start season in their title defence, but they remain just two points adrift of Nerazzurri. Luciano Spalletti’s side made a strong decision to keep hold of their key players including Mauro Icardi and Ivan Perisic in the summer, and their move is now paying dividends as they lead the league standings. On top of it, the Nerazzurri are the sole unbeaten club in the division with high-flyers Napoli losing out to the Bianconeri last weekend.
Previous meeting:
The last meeting between the sides was at the Allianz Stadium where Juventus sealed a 1-0 triumph. Juan Cuadrado notched the only goal of the game in the 45th minute through a thunderbolt of a strike from outside the box which beat Samir Handanovic to the top-right corner.
Players to watch for:
Paulo Dybala – Juventus: The Argentina international started the campaign with a flurry of goals, thus leading to comparison with compatriot Lionel Messi. He has scored 12 times in the first 15 matches for the Bianconeri, but only two of those have come since October. Despite his lean run, the 24-year-old remains an influential player in Max Allegri’s side, and his link-up play with Gonzalo Higuain could be key to getting past a Nerazzurri defence, which possess the joint-best backline in the division.
Mauro Icardi – Inter Milan: Unlike Dybala, Icardi has shone in the frontline for the Nerazzurri, netting five goals in the space of just three outings. The Inter Milan skipper is currently leading the scoring charts with 16 for the campaign. Dybala’s compatriot has been a menace to the opposing defence with his strong finishing and heading skills, and he is the main to watch for, having contributed to nearly half of the Nerazzurri’s goal tally for the campaign.
Prediction:
Juventus have suffered just a solitary defeat at home (Lazio) in the last two years, but we are still fancying for another potential upset. Juventus 0-1 Inter Milan
Image – Getty
