After another dominant season in Serie A Juventus are on course to register their fourth consecutive title win with a number of games to spare, but they still have work to do to get over the line.
Saturday's opponents don't possess any kind of form in Turin, but their recent unbeaten run has given them belief ahead of the trip to the Juventus Stadium.
Juventus
© Getty Images
As far as Serie A is concerned, the main job for Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is to ensure that complacency doesn't creep into the ranks as they look to confirm a fourth successive title.
Defeat to Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia could have threatened to derail the club's otherwise relentless form, but four successive victories in all competitions have strengthened the club's standing both in Italy and in Europe.
Juventus currently possess a run of 19 games unbeaten in Serie A, a streak that has seen them power away from nearest challengers Roma, and they have every chance of retaining their crown by at least 20 points.
Despite Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata scoring 35 times between them in all competitions, Juventus have struggled for goals in recent weeks with their last three wins all coming by a 1-0 scoreline.
The lack of goals won't necessarily worry Allegri when his defence are performing on a consistent basis, but there will be calls for a greater cutting edge against Empoli, who have proven recently that they shouldn't be pushovers on Saturday night.
Tevez heads into the game having scored just three in eight league games, a record that is coincidentally shared by Morata, and they will need to improve to fend off the challenge of Fernando Llorente for a starting role.
Recent form: DWDWWW
Recent form (all competitions): DLWWWW
Empoli
© Getty Images
At one stage this season, it appeared as though Empoli would be prime candidates to suffer relegation to Serie B, but since the end of 2014, they have proven tough opposition for any team in Italy.
The Blues are currently on an unbeaten run of eight games, with just three defeats coming in their last 20 - all by one-goal margins.
Some will argue that they draw too many games but their current form has ensured that they should avoid a relegation battle at the end of the campaign.
Manager Maurizio Sarri will strive for more wins from his team, especially on the road where just one victory has been registered, but if they can add to their nine draws on the road in Turin, Sarri will be delighted with his team's efforts.
Sarri will also take heart from the recent draws at Roma and AC Milan, games which have seen former Middlesbrough striker Massimo Maccarone net important goals for his side.
The 35-year-old's return of seven strikes isn't particularly impressive, but Empoli have shared goals around the team, as shown in their last match against Sassuolo when Riccardo Saponara netted twice.
Recent form: DWDDDW
Team News
© Getty Images
Midfielder Andrea Pirlo is unlikely to be back in contention for this weekend's fixture after a number of reports indicated that the 35-year-old won't be risked as he continues to nurse a calf injury.
Claudio Marchisio had been expected to miss the majority of 2015 after suffering a knee injury with Italy, but it has since been revealed that he sprained his knee, meaning that he could be fit for the weekend.
Morata could return in place of Llorente after not featuring in the 18-man squad in the last match, while the rest of the team is likely to be dependant on their fitness after the international games.
Allegri won't risk any of his senior squad ahead of the Champions League double-header with Monaco, so this might be an opportunity to alter his team.
Barring any late fitness issues, Empoli could name the same starting lineup for the second game running.
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Buffon, Barzagli, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Vidal, Padoin, Marchisio, Pereyra, Tevez, Morata
Empoli possible starting lineup:
Sepe, Mario Rui, Hysaj, Rugani, Barba, Croce, Valdifiori, Vecino, Saponara, Maccarone, Pucciarelli
Head To Head
Juventus and Empoli have only previously faced each other a total of 15 times, and as you would expect, it's Juventus who dominate the head-to-head record with 10 wins.
Empoli's only two triumphs have come at Stadio Carlo Castellani, in 1999 and 2007, and they have suffered defeat on each of their last five visits to Turin.
The reverse fixture between the two sides back in November ended in a 2-0 victory for Juventus, with Pirlo and Morata netting second-half goals to help the club get back on track after their only league defeat of the year to Genoa.
We say: Juventus 2-0 Empoli
Given their recent improved results, Empoli will hold no fear travelling to the Serie A leaders, but they will still require their hosts to under-perform in order to leave Turin with a result. Juventus only need five wins to defend their title, and expect a professional performance at the weekend.
Darren Plant
