Serie A Preview: Sampdoria - Juventus

The Bianconeri will be looking to bounce back after a shock defeat to Fulham on Thursday.....

Mar 19, 2010 3:00:00 PM

By Mondal Subhankar

More On :  Juventus, Sampdoria, Sampdoria vs Juventus
Europa League: Fabio Cannavaro gets red card, Fulham - Juventus (Getty Images)
Kick-off: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 20:45 CET.
Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa.

Europe Still In Sight

Sampdoria have resurrected themselves and are now back hunting for a top four finish that will see them qualify for next season's Champions League. The Blucerchiati are sixth in the table with 44 points from 28 matches, just two points behind Palermo, who are fourth.

In fact, the Blucerchiati could have gone level on points with the Sicilians had they not been held to a 1-1 draw by Bologna away from home last weekend. Sampdoria were leading until the final minutes when they conceded the equaliser.

Defeating Juventus is not going to be easy but Samp will be confident given of gaining maximum points from this fixture given that they have an unbeaten record at home and Juve conceded four goals on Thursday evening.

Bouncing Back

Juventus appeared to be moving smoothly under Alberto Zaccheroni until they were defeated 4-1 by Fulham in the second leg of their Europa League last 16 tie on Thursday. They had defeated the Cottagers 3-1 at home but the defeat in London on Thursday knocked them out of Europe's second-tier club competition.

Whether this has any effect on the Bianconeri in the league remains to be seen. On Sunday Juventus have a difficult away game as they travel to Genoa to confront Sampdoria. Juve are currently fifth in the table with 45 points from 28 points and are sandwiched between Palermo in fourth and Sampdoria in sixth.

A win on Sunday will extend their advantage over Samp to four points and it could also put them in fourth spot, should Palermo lose their match against Inter on Saturday night.



FORM GUIDE

Sampdoria

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

March 7 v Lazio (H) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)

February 28 v Parma (A) - LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

February 21 v Inter (A) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

February 13 v Fiorentina (H) - WON 2-0 (Serie A)

Juventus

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

March 14 v Siena (H) - DREW 3-3 (Serie A)

March 11 v Fulham (H) - WON 3-1 (Europa League)

March 7 v Fiorentina (A) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)

February 28 v Palermo (H) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

 

TEAM NEWS

Sampdoria

Castellazzi and Pozzi are out while Rossi, Lucchini and Mannini are struggling. Antonio Cassano is set to start against the Bianconeri.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Storari, Zauri, Gastaldello, Lucchini, Ziegler; Semioli, Palombo, Poli, Guberti; Pazzini, Cassano

Juventus

Buffon, Amauri, Giovinco, Caceres and Manninger are out while Legrottaglie, Camoranesi, Diego, Chiellini, Sissoko and Salihamidzic are reportedly struggling.

Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Chimenti, Zebina, Legrottaglie, Cannavaro, De Ceglie; Marchisio, Poulsen, Sissoko; Diego; Del Piero, Trezeguet

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria)

The Italian striker missed the game against Parma because of suspension but returned against Lazio. Not only did he return but he scored too, his 13th of the season in Serie A. Pazzini, placed 127th in the Castrol Rankings, will be spearheading the Sampdoria attackline against a side whose backline has been tremendously leaky this campaign.

Antonio Chimenti (Juventus)

Chimenti was the only one in the Juventus defensive unit who looked anywhere near good against Fulham on Thursday evening. He made a handful of wonderful saves and saved a Zamora freekick. Chimenti will be responsible for protecting the Bianconeri against Sampdoria.


PREDICTION

Juventus seem to be struggling at the moment but they have looked good at times under coach Alberto Zaccheroni. Sampdoria have picked up pace and have started picking up the points and should fancy themselves winning against the Old Lady.

Sampdoria 2-0 Juventus

 

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