Genoa vs Juventus: Preview and Prediction

Genoa vs Juventus
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 27 November 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Genoa).

Juventus will look to wrap up a good week with a win against Genoa on Sunday – that would also help to extend their lead on top of the table.

The Bianconeri came back from a goal down to beat Sevilla 3-1, and with that, book their spot in the Champions League round of 16. It was an impressive result for Massimiliano Allegri’s men as their Spanish opponents had neither lost nor conceded a single goal prior to their meeting. And in doing so, Juventus ended a recent bad track record of playing Spanish teams in Spain.

Domestically, they are also pulling away from the chasing pack and at the start of matchday 14, enjoy a very comfortable seven point gap over second-placed Roma. That means, of course, win, lose, or draw, they will be at least four points clear at the conclusion of this round. Naturally, they will want to keep it seven – or possibly – more by getting the job against Genoa this Sunday.

Allegri is dealing with some injuries to key players, however. Although Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain are working their way back to full fitness, neither Argentinian international is likely to feature here. In defense, Andrea Barzagli is still out, and Mehdi Benatia is another set to miss out. This means that young Ivorian-Italian attacker Moise Kean could get some game-time here after making history as the first player born in the new millennium to feature in Serie A against Pescara and again against Sevilla in the Champions League.

Although Genoa are coming into this game off the back of a loss to Lazio, Juventus will not want to underestimate the Grifone. After all, they crushed AC Milan 3-0 a few days after the Rossoneri beat Juventus 1-0 and could pose some problems. They are a really unpredictable side at times, but have a solid home record and have conceded just three times in their past six games at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Genoa vs Juventus: Head-to-head statistics

• Genoa have a record of W7-D6-L7 in their last 20 home fixtures against teams ranked above them in the table.
• The Grifone have yet to lose a game at home this season (two wins, four draws).
• Juventus have only lost one out of their last 20 away games against teams below them in the table (W16, D3).
• The Bianconeri have won 34 out of their last 38 Serie A games.
• La Vecchia Signora have kept a clean sheet in five out of their last six meetings with Genoa across all comps.
• Juventus have scored at least two goals in six out of their last seven Serie A games.

Genoa vs Juventus: Prediction

Genoa’s loss to Lazio has cost them two key players through suspension and key striker Leonardo Pavoletti is out due to injury. Meanwhile, Juventus are the favorites here due to their impressive form that has seen them lose just four out of their last 38 Serie A games (albeit two were already this season). That being said, the absences of Higuain and Dybala leaves them short of attacking options up front, with Mario Mandzukic being the only out-and-out striking option available.

Still, as we saw in their tie with Pescara, and more significant, against Sevilla, Juventus can get goals from just about anyone on the pitch. And that fact should be enough to see them grind out a gritty result in this one.