Juventus vs Milan Preview

Juventus know that if they manage to overcome fierce rivals Milan on Sunday they would virtually assure themselves of the Scudetto.

Italian champions Juventus will be hoping to take a giant step towards back-to-back Serie A titles when they take on rivals AC Milan in what promises to be a hotly-contested derby at Juventus Stadium on Sunday.

Juventus lead the Serie A with 74 points from 32 games, 11 points ahead of second-placed Napoli with 63 points, and 15 points ahead of third-placed Milan, with 59 points.

But while a victory for Juventus would edge them even closer to glory, the visitors will be desperate to close the gap on Napoli, as they look to finish the season in second place.

Juventus, who are currently on a five-game winning streak after wins against Lazio, Pescara, Inter Milan, Bologna and Catania, will be hoping to avenge their 1-0 defeat to Milan at the San Siro earlier in the season with a victory on home territory.

Bianconeri boss Antonio Conte will be confident of his team's chances against Milan, despite the fact that he will have to deal with selection concerns ahead of the clash.

Defender Giorgio Chiellini is set to miss out on his second straight match for the Italian league leaders through injury, while Sebastian Giovinco, Simone Pepe and Nicolas Anelka, who has only featured for 35 minutes since joining Juventus, are also ruled out through injury.

But the most significant absentee for the derby will be Milan striker Mario Balotelli, who is suspended for three games following verbal abuse of the match officials in the recent 2-2 draw with Fiorentina.

Balotelli, who has been Milan's most influential player since arriving from Manchester City during the latest transfer window, will be replaced by Giampaolo Pazzini.

Pazzini will feature in a three-man attack that also comprises of French striker M'Baye Niang and Milan's top scorer Stephan El Shaarawy.

Milan midfielder Mathieu Flamini is unavailable due to suspension after receiving his marching orders during the draw with Napoli, while Dutchman Nigel de Jong continues his road to recovery after being ruled out for the season after rupturing his left achilles tendon back in December.