Roma – Juventus 16.02.2013

Struggling Roma will see this match as an opportunity to end their five-match winless run and get back into contention for European places, but they could face a difficult job against high-flying Juventus, with the Serie A leaders searching for their fourth successive victory in all competitions.

Boosted by the heavy summer spending and some promising displays in pre-season, Roma were tipped to show a lot of improvement this season and maybe even enter the Serie A title race, but the team have utterly failed to live up to the billing. While the attack was in fine working order from the very start to the season, with Roma still the highest scoring team in the top flight with 50 goals in 24 league fixtures, the back line has been conceding goals for fun, more precisely 45 in those 24 matches. The mere fact that the Giallorossi now boast the worst defensive record in the elite division is quite embarrassing for a team supposedly fighting for European places. With mighty Juventus now coming to town, there is every chance we will see another high-scoring match at Olimpico.

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The Serie A title triumph last term was just a sign of things to come for Juventus, seeing that the Bianconeri had no problems continuing the rich vein of form. Some excellent showings have seen them create a five-point cushion at the Serie A summit and come on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League quarter-finals, although they were eliminated from Coppa Italia at the hands of Lazio. With plenty of attacking talent both on the pitch and on the bench, Juventus continue to score goals for fun, while their back line is certainly weaker now that Giorgio Chiellini is out injured. The Bianconeri may have kept a clean sheet at Parkhead, but they allowed their opponents way too many chances, which is why I cannot see them keeping another one of those at Stadio Olimpico.