Serie A: Juve Have a Mountain to Climb to Return to the Top Half

Juventus vs Fiorentina

Juventus’ 2022-23 Serie A campaign has taken a turn for the worse as they were docked 15 points following an investigation into their past transfer transactions.

Before the penalty was applied on Friday, Juventus were competing for European football. However, they’ve now dropped down to 10^th place in the Italian top-flight standings.

They’re only two points above Fiorentina, who are currently in 13^th place. La Viola haven’t won a league game for more than a month now, so they are keen to end their drought.

The expectations for Fiorentina may be low based on their recent form, but they’re capable of stealing points from Juventus, as shown in their most recent meetings.

So, can they do it again on Sunday? Read on below as SBOTOP previews this contest.

Talking Points

Juventus need Vlahovic to fire again

If Juventus are going to make a furious comeback to a top-four place, then they need to get hot in the final third again.

And perhaps a 3-0 win over Salernitana would kick-start their run since it was one of their best performances so far in 2023.

Dusan Vlahovic is back in the Serie A 2023 highlights reel as he put an end to his four-month goal drought with a brace, and he also had an assist for Filip Kostic, who put the finishing touches before the end of the first half.

Vlahovic now has nine goals and three assists to lead Juventus in scoring. The hope for Juventus is that their Serbian hitman will stay injury-free for the rest of this season.

On Sunday, Max Allegri will probably start with the same team against Salernitana, though he might think about pairing Vlahovic with some of their best young players.

For a club blessed with attacking talent, at least compared to their visitors this weekend, Juventus shouldn’t have any problems breaching Fiorentina’s leaky backline.

Fiorentina on a slump

La Viola have won just one of their six Serie A games in 2023, with only Cremonese, Sampdoria, and Salernitana picking up fewer points this year. They have also kept only one clean sheet in their last 14 league matches.

They’re coming off a 2-1 loss against Bologna at home on Monday, as Stefan Posch scored the marginal goal in the 47^th minute after a tight first half.

Returning to European football is now a pipe dream for Fiorentina, but they still have plenty left to play for this season.

Their most realistic chance of winning their first silverware in two decades is the Coppa Italia, as they’re already in the semi-finals and have a winnable tie against Cremonese.

And next week, they’re back in the Europa Conference League, slated to take on Braga in the knockout round play-offs.

Vincenzo Italiano has a couple of players who can give Juventus problems on Sunday, such as Luka Jovic, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Antonin Barak. The three of them have scored 16 goals between them thus far.

History

I Bianconeri have been superb at home against La Viola, as they’ve won 10 out of their last 11 meetings in Turin, with the latter winning in the other game. Fiorentina defeated Juventus 3-0 in December 2020, which is their second-largest victory against them on the road in the Italian top-flight.

But Juventus have won just one of their last five league matches against Fiorentina (D2, L2) after winning nine of their previous 11 Serie A meetings with La Viola.

Also, Juventus have only picked up a point in their last two league home games, drawing 3-3 against Atalanta and losing 2-0 to Monza.

Max Allegri has yet to lose a home league match against Fiorentina (W6) as Juventus manager, with two clean sheets in the last three such games.

Fiorentina held Juventus to a 1-1 draw during their first meeting this season in September, as Christian Kouame netted the equaliser in 29 minutes after Arek Milik scored 20 minutes earlier.

Betting Tip

The Serie A 2023 odds are expecting Juventus to win on Sunday, as they’re installed at 1.85, while Fiorentina are priced at 4.00, and a draw is at 3.60 in the 1X2 market.

Expectations are higher for Juventus because their squad is getting closer to full strength. But as shown in the reverse fixture last September, La Viola can give the Old Lady a huge run for her money.

It also feels like we’re about to have yet another low-scoring affair, so you might want to consider going for Under 2.50 @ 2.08 as your betting alternative.

 

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