Juventus travel to city rivals Torino this weekend knowing that a victory will bring them one step closer to the Serie A title.
The Bianconeri are just three wins away from retaining the Scudetto for the fourth straight season, but their opponents are in good form and need the points to mount their own challenge for a Europa League spot.
Torino
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Torino have enjoyed another successful season in the top flight and once again they are defying expectations under the leadership of Giampiero Ventura.
They have established their place in Serie A for a fourth consecutive campaign and a strong run over the next couple of months could see them book a return to Europe.
As things stand, the club are eighth in the league table and are five points behind Fiorentina, who occupy the final Europa League qualifying spot.
The Viola are in the semi-finals of this season's Europa League, so the club may take their eyes off their domestic duties, enabling the likes of Torino to sneak in and overhaul them before the end of May.
Crucially, Torino are in good form to exploit any mistakes from the teams above them and they are unbeaten in four games. The last two of those have ended in draws, but each time against Roma and Sassuolo they came from behind to salvage a point.
Following their game against Juventus, they will not play any other team in the top six, so a repeat of last season's seventh-place finish is well within their grasp.
Recent form: LLWWDD
Juventus
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It is only a matter of time until Juventus finally the lift the title and they could still end up claiming a sensational treble by the end of the season.
They are already assured of a place in the Coppa Italia final against Lazio, while in midweek they booked their spot in the last four of the Champions League by playing out a goalless draw with Monaco to win their quarter-final tie 1-0 on aggregate.
Massimiliano Allegri's side will find it tough to reach their first European final in 12 years, as they have been drawn against holders Real Madrid, but the Spaniards will also be cautious of playing against a club in such great form.
The Bianconeri have lost just twice in the league all season, with the second of those defeats coming two weeks ago against against Parma, but they quickly bounced back in their next match to claim a 2-0 win over second-placed Lazio.
Their defensive displays have also won admiration as they have conceded just one goal in their past 10 games and have leaked a measly 15 in the league all season.
Recent form in Serie A: WWWWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWLWWD
Team News
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Torino have Omar El Kaddouri back after his recent ban, while Maxi Lopez could be drafted into the starting lineup.
However, they will have to make do without Migjen Basha, who will sit the game out through injury.
Meanwhile, Juventus are without the suspended Claudio Marchisio and the injured Paul Pogba.
Allegri could rotate following their victory over Monaco, with Roberto Pereyra, Simone Padoin and Stefano Sturaro all pushing for starts.
Torino possible starting lineup:
Padelli, Bovo, Glik, Moretti, Peres, Vives, Gazzi, El Kaddouri, Darmian, Lopez, Quagliarella
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Buffon, Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Padoin, Vidal, Pirlo, Sturaro, Pereyra, Tevez, Morata
Head To Head
Andrea Pirlo scored a stoppage-time winner to give Juventus a 2-1 victory when these teams met back in November.
It was a familiar story for Torino, who have not beaten their city rivals in the Turin derby for over 20 years.
Since a 2-1 win for Torino in 1995, Juventus have won 13 of their 17 meetings, so there is much more than just points to play for.
We say: Torino 0-1 Juventus
It is hard to see anything other than a win for Juventus, who have been in such brilliant form. They are almost impenetrable at the back and Torino may not have the firepower to seriously test them. That is why we are backing Allegri's side to claim the points to edge to within touching distance of securing the title.
Alex Meyers
