Preview: League leaders look to get back to winning ways against the relegation candidates
Juventus has nearly triple the total points of their opponents, with their haul of 81 giving them a 56 point lead over struggling side Livorno. Hence, this should be an easy way for Antonio Conte's men re-establish a comfortable margin over Roma after their 22-match streak was snapped by Napoli this past weekend.
Suffice it to say, history is not on Livorno's side. The Amaranto are currently in 18th place with a dismal 25 points earned from 31 games, and one would have to go back to a time well before many Serie A fans--or even their parents--were born to find out when they were able to defeat the Bianconeri. In fact, they have only won four times against Juventus, with just one in Turin, and the last time they were able to emerge victorious against La Vecchia Signoria was in 1942, the same year in which they earned their best ever result in Italian football--a second place finish behind Torino.
Coming off a hard-fought win against Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday, the Bianconeri will still probably field a strong line-up, despite the fact that they boast the most prolific attack in the league with 67 goals. Notable absences will be Arturo Vidal, who will be suspended, and most likely Carlos Tevez, who appears to have suffered a slight injury and will probably be rested with the second leg versus Lyon in mind.
Hence, in his stead, Fernando Llorente, who was on the bench for the game in France could be partnered with either Pablo Osvaldo, Sebastian Giovinco, or Mirko Vucinic, all of whom made appearances in Thursday's game. It remains to be seen whether Conte will still use the same defensive trio of Martin Caceres, Leonardo Bonucci, and Giorgio Chiellini or mix it up with Andrea Barzagli, Angelo Ogbonna, and Federico Peluso all expected to return to the team after injuries.
Given that the visitors have the second-worst defensive record, having conceded 58 goals so far, it really appears that it's going to be a one-sided match in favour of the hosts. As a result Livorno, who have changed coaches three times already this season, will be adopting a highly defensive approach in order to frustrate Juventus and play for a draw.
Still, as any football fan has observed, what appears to be a straightforward match on paper isn't necessarily the same case on the pitch. However, the odds are certainly in the Bianconeri's favour as they look en route to be celebrating a third Scudetto in Turin in May.
Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores
Watch Juventus vs Livorno live on Monday, April 7, 2014:
In Canada at 13.00 ET on: RAI International, beIN Sports Play Canada
In the US at 13.00 EST on: beIN Sports en Español, RAI International, beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports Play
In the UK at 18.00 BST on: BT Sport 2
In Italy at 19.00 CET on: Premium Calcio, Sky Supercalcio HD, Sky Calcio 2
For live score updates and more live listings of the game, visit the Juventus vs. Livorno match page.
