As Juventus prepare to take on Chievo, one could certainly forgive most Serie A fans for pretty much already having an idea of what the result will be. The Bianconeri are simply unstoppable right now, having extended their lead over fellow Scudetto rivals Roma to five points. Meanwhile, the Flying Donkeys are again battling relegation and sit just two points ahead of 18th-placed Cagliari.
Additionally, the reigning Scudetto champions have been unbeatable at home and given their opponents' struggles, that does not seem likely to change this evening. After a draw to Inter in the Derby d'Italia in their first league game of 2015, Massimiliano Allegri's men appear to have woken up from their post-holiday slumber.
They first powered past Napoli to earn their first win at the Stadio San Paolo since September 2000, and then humiliated Hellas Verona twice in the span of three days that Gialloblu fans will certainly want to forget in a hurry.
A 6-1 crushing was followed by a brutal 4-0 hammering as they cruised to all three points, and surely, Chievo must have watched their cross-town rival's heavy losses with a certain sense of trepidation. In fact, with Roma hitting a bump in the road and facing a potentially tricky tie with Fiorentina, Juventus will certainly use this as a change to build up a greater buffer as they chase their fourth successive league title.
Given that la Vecchia Signora have a relatively "easy" Coppa Italia tie with bottom placed Parma coming up next, one might expect Allegri to perhaps give some of the team's fringe players a run-out, but all reports indicate that he will field a strong line-up from the start. However, veteran midfielder Andrea Pirlo is reportedly suffering from the flu and may be unlikely to take to the pitch from the first whistle.
So, instead, Roberto Pereyra could start alongside regulars Paul Pogba, Arturo Vidal, and Claudio Marchisio and could be deployed behind the two attackers. Additionally, it will be yet to be seen whether Gianluigi Buffon, who is also ill, will play or if Marco Storari, who has seen his playing time limited mainly to Coppa Italia matches will be handed a rare league start.
Leading goal-scorer Carlos Tevez will certainly retain his spot, and it will be interesting to see which Spaniard--Fernando Llorente or Alvaro Morata--is going to partner up with him in attack.
Chievo boss Rolando Maran has a bit of some concerns, with strikers Alberto Paloschi, captain Sergio Pellissier and Riccardo Meggorini suffering from injuries, but two out of those three will likely start. Last season saw them barely escape relegation with a 16th-placed finish and so they will be hoping for some form of luck to help them depart Turin without suffering another loss.
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