Preview: Cagliari vs. Juventus

Following a run of four successive victories, Juventus have now drawn their last two Serie A encounters.

As a result, a once comfortable lead at the top of the Serie A standings has been cut to just one point by second-placed Roma.

Massimiliano Allegri's men will look to return to winning ways on Thursday evening when they visit the Stadio Sant'Elia, the home of Cagliari.

Allegri omitted both Fernando Llorente and Andrea Pirlo from his starting lineup for the weekend's clash against Sampdoria, but the duo could return for this encounter, potentially at the expense of Alvaro Morata and Arturo Vidal.

Like visiting Juve, Cagliari are also in need of the three points, albeit for different reasons. Without a win in seven, Zdenek Zeman's team occupy the final relegation place. However, if they were to avoid defeat against the champions, they could move out of the danger zone.

Despite the fact that he has not scored in Serie A this season, it is expected that Inter Milan loanee Samuele Longo will lead the Cagliari attack.

Cagliari:

Form in Serie A: LDDLLD Form in all competitions: DDLDLD

Possible starting lineup: Cragno; Rossettini, Ceppitelli, Avelar, Balzano; Conti, Ekdal , Cossu, Crisetig, Farias; Longo

Juventus:

Form in Serie A: WWWWDD Form in all competitions: WWWDDD

Possible starting lineup: Buffon; Evra, Bonucci, Ogbonna, Lichtsteiner; Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba, Pereyra; Tevez, Llorente

Sports Mole says: 1-2