Juventus vs Carpi: Preview and Prediction

The newly crowned Serie A Champions Juventus entertain relegation candidates Carpi for the match week 36 fixture on Sunday afternoon. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 11:30 GMT, 1st May 2016.

Juventus might have won the title, but their head-coach Massimiliano Allegri will be looking to finish the season strong by winning the remaining three fixtures. The Old Lady made a tremendous run in the league by taking 73 points from a possible 75 in 25 matches and will be looking to extend that lead on Sunday.

Carpi grabbed a vital 1-0 home win against Empoli last weekend, which extended their unbeaten run to three matches. Currently 17th in the league, just 3 points clear off the relegation zone, the Biancorossi can hardly relax as both Palermo and Frosinone are hoping to take advantage of their slip on Sunday’s fixture.

Form Guide

Juventus are unbeaten in the last 25 matches in Italian Serie A. Their last defeat was on October 2015 at Sassuolo and since won 24 out of the 25 matches. The Old Lady are also on a 9 match winning streak in the league.

Carpi are unbeaten in their last three with 2 wins and a draw. They have also won 4 of their last 7 fixtures and lost twice, which helped them take a valuable 13 points from a possible 21 to stay alive in the relegation battle.

Carpi had only lost once in their last 5 away games, with 3 draws and a win. They have also failed to score in 5 of their last 6 away games.

Juventus vs Carpi: Head-to-Head Stats

The first leg Serie A clash on December 2015 at Stadio Alberto Braglia was their first ever competitive fixture, which Juve won by 3-2.

Carpi took the lead inside 15 minutes by a Marco Borriello goals, but two first half goals from Mario Mandzukic and a second half strike by Paul Pogba put 3-1 up. A Leonardo Bonucci in the injury time complete the scoreline in otherwise a comfortable evening for the men in Black and White stripes.

Juventus: Team News

Giorgio Chiellini, Martin Caceres and Claudio Marchisio and Neto are all injured for Juventus. Despite the absentees, head coach Allegri is expected to go with the strongest possible line-up as he look to extend the winning streak in the league.

Juventus: Predicted Starting Line-up (3-5-2)

Buffon;
Barzagli, Bonucci, Rugani;
Cuadrado, Khedira, Lemina, Pogba, Evra;
Mandzukic, Dybala.

Carpi: Team News

Eddy Gnahore and Zeljko Brkic are injured for Carpi, while Lorenzo Lollo and Raffaele Bianco are suspended.

The key absence may likely force Fabrizio Castori to revert to a 3-5-1-1 formation on Sunday.

Carpi: Predicted Starting Line-up (3-5-1-1)

Belec;
Poli, Romagnoli, Gagliolo;
Letizia, Pasciuti, Crimi, Cofie, Guzman;
Di Gaudio;
Mbakogu.

Juventus vs Carpi: Prediction

Juventus will be much more relaxed as they already know that the Serie A title is theirs. Carpi on the other hand, will be desperate to avoid a defeat and look forward to next fixtures to survive in the relegation battle.

Juventus haven’t conceded at home in the last 9 Seire A fixtures and they can score a-plenty. Carpi have an extremely poor scoring record away from home, but they have played out three 0-0 draws in their last 5 away matches. This also means they will be looking to sit deep and frustrate the hosts.

Juventus are heavy favourites here, but I do not think that this will be easy for them. My score prediction for this match is 1-0 win for Juventus.