Turin vs Juventus – News and Probable Lineups

Eager to assert their dominance in the Turin derby, struggling giants Juventus will face local rivals Torino on Sunday evening.

A closely contested Serie A conclusion sees four teams battling for two Champions League spots, with anything less than a win likely leading to Juve’s elimination.

Match overview

After another setback last weekend, Juventus now find themselves as outsiders for a prized top-four finish, having seemed to secure Champions League qualification just weeks ago.

Without control over their own fate, the Bianconeri currently sit sixth in Serie A following a 2-0 home defeat to mid-table Fiorentina, who were only playing for pride.

After an unexpected end to an 11-match unbeaten run, they must secure all three points on Sunday while hoping for a minor miracle.

Not only do Juve need to triumph in the Derby della Mole, but they also rely on favorable results from matches involving fellow contenders AC Milan, Como, and Roma.

Currently tied on 68 points with Como – but having a worse head-to-head record – Italy’s most illustrious club find themselves two points behind Milan and Roma, both of whom would need to draw or lose to open any possibility.

Serie A does not initially use goal difference to differentiate teams finishing level, creating a potentially intricate final evening as scenarios are likely to evolve.

If Juventus ultimately fall short, this would be the second time in four seasons they have missed out, which would also be an unusual disappointment for Luciano Spalletti.

Having recently received a contract extension, Spalletti’s tenure was just beginning when Juve played to a 0-0 draw with Torino in November’s earlier encounter, but the stakes are significantly escalated this weekend.

Renewing a rivalry that started in 1929, this will be the first Turin derby held on the final matchday of Serie A.

History hints that the visitors should succeed, as Torino have claimed victory in only one of the last 39 league meetings – that solitary win coming 11 years ago.

Nonetheless, the Granata would love to derail Juve’s Champions League aspirations, and even a draw would see them surpass their points total from last season.

This would also reinforce Toro’s hold on 12th place – with Parma, Genoa, and Fiorentina closely behind – but some may argue they have already started their summer break.

Following a four-match unbeaten streak that confirmed their safety at the end of April, Roberto D’Aversa’s squad has suffered two defeats in their last three games.

Defeated 2-1 by Cagliari last week – despite Rafa Obrador scoring with a sensational opener – they have conceded 61 goals, the worst defensive record in the league apart from bottom-placed Pisa.

Team News

Juventus will head across the city without former Torino defender Bremer, who will serve a one-match suspension after receiving another booking last weekend.

Juan Cabal and Arkadiusz Milik remain sidelined due to injuries, while Khephren Thuram is expected to undergo a late fitness assessment; however, Spalletti should have the rest of his squad available for this crucial derby.

If needed, Teun Koopmeiners would continue to fill in for Thuram in central midfield, collaborating with club captain Manuel Locatelli.

Meanwhile, up front, Dusan Vlahovic is anticipated to be supported by Francisco Conceicao and 10-goal leading scorer Kenan Yildiz.

Torino’s top scorer is Giovanni Simeone, who has previously netted six times against Juventus in Serie A and has found the back of the net in all of his last five home matches.

Gvidas Gineitis has returned after a suspension, but Guillermo Maripan accrued another yellow card while against Cagliari and will be unavailable.

Thus, D’Aversa will hope that Maripan’s defensive partner Ardian Ismajli can recover fully from a hamstring injury, instead of joining Tino Anjorin and Zakaria Aboukhlal on the injury list.

Torino probable starting XI:

Paleari; Coco, Ismajli, Ebosse; Pedersen, Gineitis, Prati, Obrador; Vlasic; Zapata, Simeone

Juventus probable starting XI:

Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Koopmeiners; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; Vlahovic

Despite stumbling at a critical juncture, Juventus have managed to keep seven clean sheets in their last 10 matches and should be capable of standing firm against their fierce local rivals.

Defensively shaky, Torino are already turning their attention to the summer after another challenging season – especially considering their poor history in the Derby della Mole.