Juventus vs Spezia Match Analysis and Prediction

4 years ago 599

Juventus aim to continue their improbable Scudetto charge as they host struggling Spezia on Sunday.

Following their victory over Empoli last weekend, Juve are now seven points from the Serie A summit, while the visitors have lost three games in a row.

Having been unbeaten in 13 straight Serie A games, Juventus have rediscovered their ability to grind out results in recent months, following more than a year of frustrating inconsistency.

As they attempt to extend that run to 14 games without a defeat for the first time since late 2019, Max Allegri’s side can reflect on a 3-2 victory at Empoli last week.

In midweek, the Bianconeri emerged from the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final tie with a one-goal advantage, with a crucial away goal given the competition does not phase that rule out until next season.

Juventus have picked up 48 points from 23 Serie A matches since the end of September, which is more than any other side during that period, and they sit fourth in the standings.

A 10-man Spezia appeared to be on the brink of a precious point towards their target of Serie A survival, as their encounter wit Roma at Stadio Alberto Picco entered stoppage time still goalless.

However, their visitors’ final attack of the game nearly brought about a dramatic winner, when Nicolo Zaniolo’s header struck the crossbar.

After a goalmouth scramble and subsequent VAR delay, Roma were awarded a penalty, which Tammy Abraham put past the previously unbeatable Ivan Provedel.

Thiago Motta has now overseen three consecutive defeat to end February, which leaves Spezia just four points above the drop zone having played a game more than 18th-placed Venezia.

Spezia have never before lost four matches in a row during their brief Serie A history, which began less than two years ago.

Juventus vs Spezia head to head

The two sides have previouly met on just five occasions in the Serie B and Serie A, where Juventus have taken 3 vitories while Spezia have won once. Juventus have scored 13 goals and conceded 7 in the process, and they have won in each of their last three encounters.

Spezia 1-1 Juventus 27/01/07

Juventus 2-3 Spezia 10/06/07

Spezia 1-4 Juventus 01/11/20

Juventus 3-0 Spezia 02/03/21

Spezia 2-3 Juventus 22/09/21

Juventus latest home form

Juventus have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their nine most recent matches. They recently managed to defeat Sassuolo 2-1 in the Coppa Italia. In their last five matches, they have won four and drawn one, scoring 11 goals and conceding 3.

Juventus 2-0 Udinese 15/01/22

Juventus 4-1 Sampdoria 18/01/22

Juventus 2-0 Verona 06/02/22

Juventus 2-1 Sassuolo 10/02/22

Juventus 1-1 Torino 18/02/22

Juventus latest away form

Juventus have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their five most recent matches. In their last away game, they managed to defeat Fiorentina 1-0 in the Coppa Italia. In their last five matches, they have scored 6 goals and conceded 4.

AC Milan 0-0 Juventus 23/01/22

Atalanta 1-1 Juventus 13/02/22

Villarreal 1-1 Juventus 22/02/22

Empoli 2-3 Juventus 26/02/22

Fiorentina 0-1 Juventus 02/03/22

Spezia latest home form

Spezia have recently been on a relatively poor run of form at home, having lost three of their five most recent matches. Their last home victory came on January 23 when they defeated Sampdoria 1-0. In their last five matches, they have won one, drawn one and lost three.

Spezia 1-1 Empoli 19/12/21

Spezia 1-2 Verona 06/01/22

Spezia 1-0 Sampdoria 23/01/22

Spezia 1-2 Fiorentina 14/02/22

Spezia 0-1 Roma 27/02/22

Spezia latest away form

Despite losing their last away game 2-1 to Bologna, Spezia have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in four matches prior to that. In their last five matches, they have won three, drawn one and lost one, scoring 7 goals and conceding 5.

Napoli 0-1 Spezia 22/12/21

Genoa 0-1 Spezia 09/01/22

AC Milan 1-2 Spezia 17/01/22

Salernitana 2-2 Spezia 07/02/22

Bologna 2-1 Spezia 21/02/22

Juventus news

Centre-back Leonardo Bonucci is back on the treatment table, having been ruled out due to a calf issue.

He joins Denis Zakaria, Alex Sandro, Federico Chiesa, Weston McKennie and Giorgio Chiellini on the sidelines, but Federico Bernardeschi, Paulo Dybala and Daniele Rugani could be ready to feature in the Sunday’s contest.

Spezia news

Spezia could be without M’bala Nzola, as he has been receiving medical attention during the week. However, Rey Manaj is back from suspension and will replace him up front.

Leo Sena and Aimar Sher are ruled out, and both Kelvin Amian and Jakub Kiwior are not available due to suspension.