Serie A Preview: Juventus - Cagliari

Posted Friday, April 09, 2010 by Goal.com

The Bianconeri will look to bounce back from last weekend's humiliation.....

Kick Off: Sunday, April 11, 2010, 15:00 CET.
Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Turin.

Recovering With A Win

Last weekend Juventus took a further dip towards the south as they suffered a 3-0 humiliating defeat to Udinese away from home in Serie A. That loss coupled with other results dragged down the Bianconeri to seventh in Serie A with 48 points from 32 games.

Juve are just a single point off a Europa League spot and three behind Palermo, who are fourth, so they shouldn't give up on a Champions League spot yet. However, Alberto Zaccheroni's side have not been in good health in recent times and will have to careful against Cagliari at home.

Mid-Table Mediocrity

Cagliari may have lost to Milan last weekend at home but they did give a good account of themselves and were kept out only by the heroics of the Rossoneri goalkeeper Dida.

At the moment the Sardinians are 12th in Serie A with 40 points from 32 league fixtures. Cagliari are nine points above safety and are nine points off a European place, so are pretty much stuck in mid-table. Which means that they don't have any relegation worries and have nothing to play for between now and the end of the campaign.

FORM GUIDE

Juventus

April 3 v Udinese (A) - LOST 3-0 (Serie A)

March 28 v Atalanta (H) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)
March 25 v Napoli (A) - LOST 3-1 (Serie A)

March 21 v Sampdoria (A) - LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

March 18 v Fulham (A) - LOST 4-1 (Europa League)

Cagliari

April 3 v Milan (H) - LOST 3-2 (Serie A)

March 28 v Sampdoria (A) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

March 24 v Bari (A) - LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

March 21 v Juventus (H) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

March 14 v Bologna (A) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Juventus

Caceres, Chimenti and Diego are unavailable for the match while Salihamidzic and Del Piero are reportedly struggling with injuries. Sissoko is suspended.

Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Buffon, Cannavaro, Legrottaglie, Chiellini; Camoranese, Felipe Melo, Marchisio, De Ceglie; Candreva; Amauri, Iaquinta

Cagliari

Agazzi is out while Agostini, Jeda and Conti are doubtful.

Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Marchetti, Marzoretti, Canini, Astori, Agostini; Dessena, Conti, Lazzari; Cossu; Matri, Jeda

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)

The Bianconeri are in crisis and their backline is in shambles. This implies that custodian Gianluigi Buffon will have to be at his best. Last weekend Juve conceded three goals to a relegation battling side and against Cagliari on Sunday afternoon Buffon will have to be commanding inside his penalty area.

Alessandro Matri (Cagliari)

Matri scored against Milan last weekend and was a constant menace to the Rossoneri backline. Matri will again be eager to take advantage of another big team in Italy that is struggling at the back.

PREDICTION

Juventus will hope to take maximum points from this fixture but their recent form has been terrible. Cagliari came close to defeating Milan last weekend and will travel to Turin with confidence. A draw shouldn't come as a surprise.

Juventus 1-1 Cagliari