Preview: Empoli vs. Juventus

Juventus's unbeaten run of eight games in Serie A came to an end in midweek, but they have the chance to bounce back with a trip to Empoli.

The Old Lady, who remain at the top of the league table on level points with challengers Roma, were dealt a blow by losing 1-0 to Genoa in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

The result was only Juve's second league defeat in a year and they head into this Saturday's encounter having last faced Empoli in the 2007-08 campaign.

The visitors are favourite to snatch all three points and get themselves back on track, but Empoli could capitalise on Juve's dented spirit following their midweek loss.

Empoli boss Maurizio Sarri will host Massimiliano Allegri's side having grabbed just one victory in nine league games so far this season, which has left them 17th in the standings, just one point above the relegation zone.

Empoli had a run of draws and hadn't lost a game in five fixtures, but the team head into this weekend's match having suffered a 4-0 defeat to Cagliari and a 3-1 loss at the hands of Sassuolo on Wednesday.

Allegri is expected to be without Patrice Evra this weekend as the former Manchester United full-back is likely to be out of action for a month with a thigh injury.

For the home side, Luigi Sepe and Tiberio Guarante are doubts with hamstring and knee injuries respectively, while Vincent Laurini is likely to be included in the squad.

Recent form

Empoli: DDWDLL

Juventus: WWWDWL

Possible starting lineups

Empoli: Bassi; E Hisaj, L Tonelli, Rugani, M Rui; Zielinski, Valdifiori, Croce; M Pucciarelli, Vecino, Maccarone

Juventus: Buffon; Ogbonna, Bonucci, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner; Vidal, Marchisio, Pogba, Asamoah; Llorente, Tevez

Sports Mole says: 0-2