Juventus start Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Andrea Pirlo in tonight’s Serie A trip to Sassuolo.
Juventus start Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Andrea Pirlo in tonight’s Serie A trip to Sassuolo.
It kicks off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.
The Bianconeri need a victory to keep the gap from Roma at eight points, meaning they’ll be able to mathematically clinch the Scudetto this weekend against Atalanta at the Juventus Stadium.
Arturo Vidal is rested after suffering from a knee problem, but Andrea Barzagli starts despite his recurring bursitis.
Antonio Conte must make choices that both defend the chance of a third consecutive Scudetto and prepare the team for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final with Benfica.
Sassuolo are highly motivated too, as they are joint third from bottom in the Serie A table with Bologna, so even a single point would be precious and take them clear of the relegation zone.
They have been revived since Coach Eusebio Di Francesco returned to the bench, having been replaced by Alberto Malesani for five consecutive defeats.
The Neroverdi are missing their top scorer this evening, as Domenico Berardi is suspended along with Simone Missiroli and Davide Biondini.
Their injury list also includes Marius Alexe, Paolo Bianco, Thomas Manfredini and Francesco Acerbi.
Sassuolo play an attacking 4-3-3 formation and lead the way with ex-Udinese striker Antonio Floro Flores, Nicola Sansone and Simone Zaza.
Former Napoli captain Paolo Cannavaro is at centre-back.
The statistics do not encourage Sassuolo, who without Berardi on the field this season have managed one win, one draw and six defeats.
Sassuolo: Pegolo; Gazzola, Antei, Cannavaro, Longhi; Chibsah, Magnanelli, Ziegler; Sansone, Zaza, Floro Flores
Sassuolo bench: Pomini, Polito; Ariaudo, Pucino, Mendes, Terranova, Rosi, Marrone, Brighi, Farias, Masucci, Floccari
Juventus: Buffon; Barzagli, Ogbonna, Chiellini; Isla, Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah; Llorente, Tevez.
Juventus bench: Storari, Bonucci, Caceres, Padoin, Lichsteiner, Peluso, Vidal, Pepe, Giovinco, Osvaldo, Vucinic, Quagliarella