Monza vs Juventus Preview: Team News & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Alessandro Nesta is under intense pressure in charge of a struggling Monza side in Serie A as the hosts now prepare to face a frustrating and faltering Juventus side in Lombardy this week.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 22nd December, 2024: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
How to watch online: UK – TNT Sports & OneFootball / US – Paramount+
Monza Preview: Monza’s struggles
Monza begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting firmly inside the bottom three and the relegation places after managing just one victory in their 16 matches so far this season. They are also one of the lowest scorers in Serie A, too, with just 14 goals in 16 games.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 2-1 loss to Lecce down in Apulia last weekend. Lecce took an early lead in that game via Tete Morente before a Patrick Dorgu own goal levelled things but Nikola Krstovic secured defeat for Monza in the 44th minute.
Juventus Preview: New era for the Old Lady
Thiago Motta took charge of the new and ambitious project to modernise Juventus both on and off the pitch over the summer but the Bianconeri, after what appeared to be a bright start, have been left frustrated with six wins and ten draws in their 16 Serie A matches.
They have struggled for precision and consistency in attacking areas and, despite being the only unbeaten side in the top-flight, have been frustrated. The Old Lady were most recently held to a 2-2 draw with Venezia in Serie A before hammering Cagliari in the Coppa Italia in midweek.
Monza Team News: No Maldini
Daniel Maldini, son of Paolo and Grandson of Cesare, has been a key man for Monza throughout this season but he is missing through suspension for this weekend with key attacking injury doubts, too, such as Milan Djuric and Andrea Petagna.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Turati; Izzo, Pablo Mari, Caldirola; Birindelli, Bondo, Bianco, Kyriakopoulos; Maldini, Caprari; Dany Mota
Unavailable: Cragno (Injured), Gagliardini (Injured), Pessina (Injured), Maldini (Suspended)
Questionable: Caldirola (Injured), Djuric (Injured), Ciurria (Illness), Petagna (Injured), Vignato (Injured)
Juventus Team News: A few issues
Dusan Vlahovic has recently returned from injury for Juve but they do still have some key absentees as defender Bremer and attacker Timothy Weah are both sidelined with Andrea Cambiaso and struggling summer signing Douglas Luiz still injury doubts.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, Danilo; Thuram, McKennie; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Yildiz; Vlahovic
Unavailable: Bremer (Injured), Juan Cabal (Injured), Weah (Injured)
Questionable: Cambiaso (Injured), Douglas Luiz (Injured), Milik (Injured)
Monza vs Juventus Prediction
Alessandro Nesta struggled with Reggiana in his last club job but the AC Milan legend benefitted from a relationship with the Berlusconi family to get the Monza job. They are destined for Serie B football next season, though, unless something changes. As mentioned, they have struggled for goals and now face a Juventus side that have been frustratingly blunt in the final third so an away win is to be expected but it is unlikely to be a thriller for the neutral.
Monza vs Juventus Tip: Juventus to win & under 3.5 goals
