Gonzalo Higuain is benched and Benedikt Howedes makes his Juventus debut against Crotone this evening.
It kicks off in Turin at 19.45 GMT, follow the build-up and action on the LIVEBLOG.
The Bianconeri have stuttered of late, falling 3-2 to Sampdoria before a midweek goalless Champions League stalemate with depleted Barcelona.
Gonzalo Higuain is benched and Benedikt Howedes makes his Juventus debut against Crotone this evening.
It kicks off in Turin at 19.45 GMT, follow the build-up and action on the LIVEBLOG.
The Bianconeri have stuttered of late, falling 3-2 to Sampdoria before a midweek goalless Champions League stalemate with depleted Barcelona.
That result left their European ambitions in the balance, but it’s all about Serie A now, as they need to keep up the pace with leaders Napoli ahead of Friday’s trip to the Stadio San Paolo.
Giorgio Chiellini, Juan Cuadrado, Federico Bernardeschi and Marko Pjaca are injured, with Sami Khedira, Miralem Pjanic and Gonzalo Higuain rested.
This gives Mandzukic a rare chance to play as a centre-forward rather than on the left wing, which was his natural role until the switch last season.
German international Howedes finally gets his Serie A debut after a series of injury problems since joining over the summer in a 3-4-3 formation.
Crotone made the incredible comeback to secure safety on the final day of last season and hope to do it again this time around under Coach Davide Nicola.
It’s a return ‘home’ for Nicola, who spent much of his career at Juve’s bitter rivals Torino.
Aleksandar Tonev and Ante Budimir lead the way in a 4-4-2 formation with Rolando Mandragora eager to impress his parent club in midfield.
Marco Tumminello and Oliver Kragl are on the treatment table.
Juventus have never lost to Crotone. Having played four times in their history, the Bianconeri have amassed a 13-0 aggregate scoreline in the four matches played.
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Benatia, Höwedes; Lichtsteiner, Matuidi, Marchisio, Alex Sandro; Douglas Costa, Mandzukic, Dybala
Crotone: Cordaz; Sampirisi, Ajeti, Ceccherini, Pavlovic; Rohden, Barberis, Mandragora, Nalini; Budimir, Tonev