Ace Football previews the Serie A match between Benevento and Juventus, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Former AC Milan teammates Filippo Inzaghi and Andrea Pirlo will lock horns for the first time as managers on Saturday evening as Benevento welcome Juventus to the Stadio Ciro Vigorito for their latest Serie A clash.
Seven points separate the two teams in the standings, with Juventus on 16 points from eight games in fourth. Benevento, on the other hand, sit 10 places below in 14th and, crucially, five points away from the relegation zone.
All eyes will be on the unbeaten Bianconeri, who hope to achieve back-to-back wins for the first time in the league this season. Benevento, though, recently ended their losing streak and have surprised so far. But can the newcomers pull off the ultimate surprise? Or will Juve’s firepower prove too hot for them to handle?
Benevento Form & Stats
The Sorcerers are back in Serie A after a two-year absence and have overseen a relatively fine start. Five defeats, including four in a row recently, is a concern. Riccardo Improta’s goal against Fiorentina last weekend, however, secured a valuable 1-0 away victory and snapped them out of their poor form.
That victory in Florence gifted Benevento a five-point cushion above the drop zone and a miserable return for Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli.
Gianluca Caprari and Gianluca Lapadula, meanwhile, have supplied most of the club’s 11 goals. But their tally of 20 conceded goals should concern coach Filippo Inzaghi, as it’s the Serie A’s joint-worst defensive record alongside Torino.
10 of those goals, in fact, have come across home matches, which isn’t a good sign for Saturday. Considering the firepower at Juventus’ disposal, along with the loss of a few players, they may struggle to get a result. Ideally, Benevento will need to strike first blood in the game.
Key Team Stats
- Lost three of their four home league games this season (W1).
- Kept two clean sheets in their eight league games this season.
- Conceded two or more goals in six of their eight league games this season.
- Joint-worst defensive record in the league on 20 conceded goals.
- BTTS in five of their eight league games this season.
Juventus Form & Stats
Pirlo’s men dominated Cagliari last weekend but seemed off the pace in their midweek Champions League win over Ferencvaros. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata, however, nailed a 2-1 win.
Juventus have now won four of their last five games in all competitions, despite their defensive troubles. Giorgio Chiellini and Merih Demiral are all set to remain sidelined. But Matthijs de Ligt is back and could partner the returning Leonardo Bonucci in central defense again.
The notable absentee from the squad list, though, is Ronaldo for Saturday. It means his hopes of becoming the 12th player in Serie A history to score 30 goals in a single year will have to wait for another weekend. The forward is currently on 29 goals in 25 league games in 2020.
The reigning champions are still four points off the pace and, therefore, need a win to keep the pressure on leaders AC Milan. Anything less than maximum points in Benevento is unacceptable.
Key Team Stats
- Unbeaten in their eight league games this season (W4 D4).
- Drawn three of their four away league games this season (W1).
- BTTS in all four of their away league games this season.
- Alvaro Morata has scored four goals in his last five games across all competitions this season.
Team News
Benevento: Bryan Dabo, Gaetano Letizia, Massimo Volta, Iago Falque, & Daam Foulon (out).
Juventus: Giorgio Chiellini, & Merih Demiral (out).
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Recent Games
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Serie A.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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