Juventus vs Pescara
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Saturday, 19 November 2016
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: Juventus Stadium (Turin).
Juventus was able to string three straight victories after suffering a stunning 0-1 setback to AC Milan three rounds ago.
Their most recent win was against middling team Chievo, 2-1, on the road at the Marc'Antonio Bentegodi Stadium on Nov. 6 before the international break, as per Goal.
It was a goalless first half as both sides were stern on defense in the first 45 minutes of action.
Finally, Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic was able to break the deadlock in the 53rd minute for the defending champs as he directed an assist by Colombian midfielder Juan Cuadrado towards the back of Chievo keeper Stefano Sorrentino's net.
Chievo was able to level the count in the 66th with a penalty kick by team captain Sergio Pellissier, who came off the bench in the hour-mark for Mariano Izco.
Juventus then found the winning goal in the 75th minute courtesy of a right-footed shot from Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic from a free kick.
Meanwhile, newly-promoted side Pescara is on a four-game losing spell and has been winless in their last six matches as well.
The Dolphins were routed by Empoli, 0-4, at their own home ground of Adriatico Stadium also on Nov. 6, Calcio Mercato reported.
Head coach Massimo Oddo's squad was not able to respond with any goals against the scoring onslaught from Empoli in the whole match.
Blues captain Massimo Maccarone had a brace while winger Manuel Pucciarelli and Riccardo Saponara had one goal each to complete the visitors' four-goal haul.
With the loss, Pescara has dropped to the bottom three relegation zone together with Palermo and Crotone.
Prediction and Predicted Lineup
The predicted result is a 3-0 rout for Juventus.
Juventus starting lineup (3-5-2 formation): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Benatia, Barzagli; Cuadrado, Sturaro, Hernanes, Pjanic, Sandro; Mandzukic, Higuaín
Pescara starting lineup (4-3-2-1 formation): Bizzarri; Zampano, Campagnaro, Fornasier, Crescenzi; Cristante, Aquilani, Verre; Benali, Caprari; Manaj
Juventus vs Pescara: Head-to-head statistics
Juventus have scored at least two goals in their past 10 Serie A home games.
The Bianconeri have won all of their past 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table.
La Vecchia Signora have won 34 out of their last 38 Serie A fixtures.
Two of those losses were this season against both Milan-based clubs.
Pescara have yet to win an actual game this season.
The Delfini have scored just twice in their last four meetings with Juventus (both in Serie A and Serie B).
Pescara have the joint second-worst attack in the league. Only Empoli (with six goals) have done worse.
Juventus vs Pescara: Prediction
Nine. That is the number of goals Pescara have scored, which is the second-worst in the league. Meanwhile, that also happens to be the number of goals Juventus have conceded, meaning that they have the meanest defense in the top flight. The Bianconeri may be missing a few key players, but they have all three points in the bag here. This is as much a David vs. Goliath clash as Serie A fans will see this weekend, and will be a good chance for Juve players to pad their goal-scoring stats.
Juventus vs Pescara: Betting tips
Both teams to score – NO at 8/13 (1.62)
Over 2.5 goals at 2/5 (1.40).
