If you are a Serie A fan, this is your lucky weekend, and this Sunday gives calcio fans worldwide quite a treat as four out of the top five sides - Napoli, Roma, Juventus, and Fiorentina - are all in action today. Even better is the fact that they are facing off against each other to see who can close the gap on Inter, who presently enjoy a four point lead over Fiorentina after cruising to a 4-0 win over Udinese on Saturday.
Juventus, who have won the Scudetto in the past four seasons are aiming to make it a fifth, but things did not start off well for the reigning Scudetto champions. This then allowed several other sides to ease their way up the table to put themselves in a good position to effectively mount a challenge; however, an uptick in positive results has seen the Bianconeri now putting pressure on the top four and their sudden revival surely must be making their title rivals a tad nervous indeed.
Juventus
Given their improved showings as of late, it is hard to believe that this is the very same side that were experiencing the worst ever start to a campaign just a few months ago. However, with the exception of a loss to Sevilla that cost them top spot in their Champions League quartet, Massimiliano Allegri's men have been quite solid, especially in the league in which they have won five straight matches. In their recent three, they also managed to maintain a clean sheet but having beaten struggling sides like Lazio, AC Milan, and Palermo, they truly will face a much stiffer challenge as they prepare to take on Fiorentina this evening.
Still, despite the excellent form of the Viola, Juventus nonetheless enjoy a good record when it comes to taking on the Tuscan side in Turin. Out of their past 23 Serie A home games, they have lost just once, with 17 wins. In fact, with the exception of their 2-1 loss to the Viola during a Coppa Italia semi-final first leg last season, la Vecchia Signora have been largely untroubled by their upcoming opponents at their home ground. In their last 29 league games (at home), Juventus have managed to score at least one goal and one would have to go back to November 1981 to note the last time Fiorentina were able to keep a clean sheet (in a 0-0 draw).
Nonetheless, they will be coming up against a team that has the most prolific attack in the league. Only Roma, who also has 30, have been able to match the Viola's potency in front of goal. Fortunately for Bianconeri fans, the only absentees for the game will be Roberto Pereyra and Hernanes (the latter of whom still has to really endear himself to the Juventus faithful). Allegri will be able to welcome back a crop of players who have missed out due to injury and illness, with Patrice Evra, Simone Zaza, Mario Mandzukic, Sami Khedira, and Martin Caceres all having recovered in time for this huge match, giving him plenty of choices as to whom to start in his preferred XI.
Fiorentina
Interestingly, despite boasting the strongest attack in the league, Fiorentina have found it difficult to score against Juventus. With a back-line boasting the all-Italian defensive trio of Andrea Barzagli, Giorgio Chiellini, and Leonardo Bonucci, as well as the evegreen Gigi Buffon between the posts, it is perhaps no surprise that the visitors have not been able to find the net in five out of their past seven league meetings.
Still, with the way they have been playing, in which they have scored at least two goals in five out of their last six Serie A games and are coming into this match sans a loss in these same sextet of matches, Paulo Sousa's side can still pose a handful for Juventus, despite the home side's own good form as of late. The Portuguese tactician, in his debut season, has now guided the team into the last 32 of the Europa League courtesy of a goal from Khouma Babacar versus Primeira Liga outfit Belenenses, and will be coming into this game having thrashed Udinese 3-0 on matchday 15.
Fiorentina are unbeaten in their past nine games across all competitions and their attack has been largely spearheaded by the duo of Slovenian international Josip Ilicic and his Croatian counterpart Nikola Kalinic, who have scored a total of 14 goals between them. Kalinic in particular has been quite impressive in his first season in Firenze, with his nine goals seeing him third in the goal-scorer's charts and expect both to be again playing a big role in the team's offense as they hope to keep up the pressure on Inter at the top of the table.
With the exception of Polish international Jakub Blaszczykowski, who is still struggling with a muscular problem, Sousa, like his opponent Allegri, will also have a full-strength squad available for selection.
Which channel is broadcasting Juventus vs Fiorentina on TV or Online?
Due to the bitter history between these two clubs, expect this match to be more like a derby. So, really, kudos to you if you happen to be in Turin to catch what should be an exciting match live at Juventus Stadium! However, if you are not so fortunate, no worries. LiveSoccerTV has a slew of great options for Bianconeri, Viola, and general calcio neutrals to tune into the other big game of round 16 via TV, phone, computer, or tablet.
Here are some selections for those who live in the following countries:
- In the USA at 14.45 EST on: RAI International
- In Italy at 20.45 CET on: Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, Sky Calcio 1, Sky Supercalcio HD, SKY Go Italia
- In the UK at 19.45 GMT on: BT Sport Live Streaming, BT Sport 1
- In Canada at 14.45 ET on: RAI International
Live elsewhere? Check out our special Juventus vs Fiorentina broadcast page for specific viewing options and times for wherever are currently based.
*NOTE: Live broadcast listings are subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
This match was not broadcast in United States
International Coverage:
Ireland: TNT Sports 1, discovery+
Italy: Sky Sport 251, SKY Go Italia
United Kingdom:
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