Juventus are on a five-game winning streak and have just cruised into the Coppa Italia semi-finals but tonight they meet the only team to beat them so far this season. Aiming to move back within two points of top spot in Serie A, the Old Lady welcomes recent bogey team Sassuolo to Turin.Between now and April, though, Allegri will have his squad fully focused on reeling in Inter, who moved five points clear on Saturday; so Juve – who now play their game in hand and could then go top by beating Lecce while the Nerazzurri take part in the Supercoppa Italiana – cannot afford to slip up against Sassuolo.Since their shock 4-2 defeat in September’s game at Mapei Stadium, Juventus have not lost again while racking up 11 league wins from 14 subsequent matches – the best performance in Serie A over that time period.A tally of 36 points from then on is three more than title rivals Inter Milan, and following last week’s late win against 10-man Salernitana, the Bianconeri have accrued an overall total of 46 from the first half of the season.While Allegri’s well-drilled team have conceded just eight goals in the last 16 matches at their Turin headquarters – and have also won eight out of 10 at home to Tuesday’s opponents.Juventus are the only team that remains unbeaten at home in Serie A this season. (W7, D2) The fans effect. 💪🔥pic.twitter.com/Yo0D6QSdxH— Max Statman (@emaxstatman) January 16, 2024 Following September’s sensational victory over a bewildered Bianconeri, Sassuolo have won three of their last five league matches against Juventus, including both of the last two – they had managed just one win from the previous 16, losing 12.Sassuolo were victorious in the previous round, beating Fiorentina, as the Neroverdi halted their visitors’ fine run of form to snatch three precious points in their bid to move further away from danger.Finally keeping their first clean sheet of the season, Alessio Dionisi’s side had a slim share of the ball and scored from their only shot on target, but victory at the Mapei Stadium moved them four points clear of the Serie A drop zone.Sassuolo have now achieved three of their five league wins against top-four contenders – Inter, Juve and Fiorentina – and with Andrea Pinamonti and inspirational winger Domenico Berardi on board, they often cause trouble for the calcio establishment. Also, celebrating their 400th Serie A fixture with another giant-killing would certainly boost morale for the months ahead.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Juventus are optimistic about the recovery of Adrien Rabiot, who missed last week’s Coppa Italia tie with a thigh problem but should return to the starting lineup on Tuesday: the French midfielder could replace Weston McKennie, who is suspended. Federico Gatti must also serve a one-match ban, so recently returned Alex Sandro is in contention with Daniele Rugani to feature in the hosts’ back three.While Federico Chiesa may overcome a knee injury to take a place on the bench and Moise Kean is unavailable due to a shin problem, Arkadiusz Milik and Dusan Vlahovic appear to be in direct competition to partner rookie striker Kenan Yildiz.Sure to play a part at some stage, Vlahovic will aim to continue his scoring streak versus Sassuolo: he has found the net in all three of his home games against the Neroverdi, including a brace at the Allianz Stadium in August 2022.The visitors, meanwhile, are expected to name Marcus Pedersen and Mattia Viti as their full-backs, as Jeremy Toljan (hamstring) and Matias Vina (knee) are both ruled out by injury, in addition to midfield duo Pedro Obiang and Uros Racic.Up front, last week’s matchwinner, Pinamonti should be supported by Berardi – who came close to joining Juve in August – and Armand Lauriente. The latter’s only league goal this season came in September’s reverse fixture, and since then he has attempted 29 shots without scoring again.Juve are under pressure – Inter Milan showed against Monza that they will not let they leading position that easy – and Max Allegri’s men have a chance to respond tonight at their home turf.Probable #Juventus XI to face Sassuolo tomorrow, according to [@SkySport 🇮🇹] #JuveSassuolo pic.twitter.com/lxzUSUQrPx— JuveFC (@juvefcdotcom) January 15, 2024 SERIE A – MATCHDAY 20Saturday Genoa – Torino 0-0Napoli – Salernitana 2-1 (1-1)/Politano 45+4 pen, Rrahmani 90+6 – Candreva 29/Verona – Empoli 2-1 (1-0)/Djuric 3, Ngonge 56 – Zurkowski 64/Monza – Inter 1-5 (0-2)/Pessina 68 pen – Calhanoglu 12 pen, 60, Lautaro 14, 84 pen, Thuram 88/SundayLazio – Lecce 1-0 (0-0)/Anderson 58/Cagliari – Bologna 2-1 (1-1)/Petagna 31, Calafiori 69 og – Orsolini 24/Fiorentina – Udinese 2-2 (0-1)/Beltran 55, Nzola 87 pen – Lovric 10, Thauvin 73/Milan – Roma 3-1 (1-0)/Adli 11, Giroud 56, Hernandez 84 – Paredes 69 pen/Monday Atalanta – Frosinone 5-0 (3-0)/Koopmeiners 8, Ederson 13, De Ketelaere 14, Zappacosta 83, Holm 90/Tuesday22.45: (1.45) Juventus (4.70) Sassuolo (8.00)***odds are subject to change***
