Torino – Juventus : Preview & Prediction
Torino may have won just one of the last 34 official editions of the Derby della Mole (E8, P25), but with this important clash being played exactly 55 years to the day since winger Luigi Meroni – one of the club’s most important historical figures – sadly passed away, a positive result could be the perfect way to honour his memory. With just two points separating these teams after nine rounds, Torino fans will see this fixture as a great opportunity to overtake their rivals in the table and celebrate an important derby win — something they last did in 2015.
A late goal against Empoli the previous matchday (1-1) saved Torino from recording a fourth consecutive defeat, and this poor recent form has much to do with the Granata having scored just eight goals in this SA season. This inefficient attacking line has prompted coach Ivan Juric to seriously consider fielding four attackers on Saturday, although against a giant in Italian football that could be a big risk.
Juventus prepared less than ideally for this match, as they followed last weekend’s 2-0 loss to AC Milan with a 2-0 humiliation at Maccabi Haifa on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League. Surprisingly, despite that demoralising defeat, coach Massimiliano Allegri received a vote of confidence from club president Andrea Agnelli, despite mentioning that he was “ashamed” of Juventus.
Rubbing salt in Juve’s wound, Angel Di Maria suffered another injury, leaving the team heartbroken as they try to record their first official away win of the season without one of their key players (E2, P4). That’s a big blow considering Juventus are already ten points behind current SA leaders Napoli, and poor away performances in the league could be to blame for this. The last time Juventus won on rival soil was at the end of April, and with only one goal scored playing away from home in this SA season, it is easy to see where the problem lies.
Players to watch: Torino striker Antonio Sanabria has scored two goals in his last six appearances against Juventus, and both goals were registered before the 60th minute. Juventus captain Leonardo Bonucci has won 12 of 17 career meetings against their opponents (E4, P1) and scored a late winner in the last Turin derby in which he was involved.
Key stat: Juventus have opened the scoring in nine of the last 11 meetings between the two clubs.
Torino – Juventus : Betting Tips
Torino – Win Odds: 3.25
