Livorno vs Juventus

Livorno are up against the wall this week as they will host the mighty Juventus in Round 20 of Serie A when the two sides face off at the Stadio Armando Picchi. Livorno won a big match at home last week to continue their rise up the league table, while Juventus continue their strong unbeaten run despite not winning.

Livorno were able to pick up a very much needed 3 points in week 19 when they defeated Empoli by a score of 1-0. With the 3 points they now have 21 points on the present campaign and that leaves them in 13^th just 1 point back of 12^th place Catania, and 2 points up on 14^th place SS Lazio. They are now unbeaten over their 9 matches. That is the 4^th best run at present in the Serie A with only Inter, Roma and Juventus have performed better over the last 2 and a half months. On the injury front this week for Livorno Giannichedda, Volpe and Bergvold have all been ruled out at this time while there are no suspension concerns. Manager Camolese has just one doubt at this time with regard to the starting eleven and that is whether to go with Pulzetti or Vidigal in midfield.

Juventus were unable to defeat Sampdoria at home last week and were instead held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. With the draw the side managed by Claudio Ranieri are now in 3^rd place of the Serie A table with 37 points. They sit 5 points behind 2^nd place Roma and 3 points up on 4^th place Fiorentina. Despite not winning they continued their impressive defensive run of late which has seen them conceded just 3 goals in their last 7 contests. There are 3 main injury concerns this week. In addition to the usual Zebina and Mauro German Camoranesi, starting keeper Gigi Buffon has been ruled out altogether for this match. He will be replaced by Belardi while Palladino will get the start for Camoranesi on the right flank. David Trezeguet is currently tied atop the Serie A league scorers table with 13 goals.

While on paper Livorno are serious underdogs, Camolese’s club is playing very good football of late. The same can be said of the vecchia signora and that could bode well for a very tight affair. This one could turn out to be a draw.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)