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Sunday\u2019s Serie A action caps off at the Allianz Stadium as fourth-placed Juventus take on European hopefuls Bologna in a high-stakes clash. Fresh off leapfrogging Como into fourth spot, Luciano Spalletti\u2019s side can take a decisive step toward securing Champions League qualification.<\/strong><\/p>\n Winter signing Jeremie Boga helped Juventus take down his former side Atalanta last weekend, scoring a second-half winner in Bergamo. Boga\u2019s heroics saw the Bianconeri steer two points clear of fifth-placed Como, who suffered a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat at Sassuolo on Friday.<\/span><\/p>\n Juventus\u2019 top-four pursuit received another boost yesterday, as Roma and Atalanta shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the Olimpico. Therefore, Spalletti won\u2019t have a better chance than this to solidify Juve\u2019s position in the standings ahead of the final five matchdays.<\/span><\/p>\n Bologna will have to go to great lengths to knock Juventus off their perch, with the record-time Italian champions winning four of their last five league games (D1). However, anything other than a victory in Turin would likely end the visitors\u2019 hopes of returning to a major European competition next season.<\/span><\/p>\n Their quest to claim Europa League glory fell apart in the quarter-finals, as Aston Villa thumped them 7-1 on aggregate. Thursday\u2019s dismal 4-0 defeat in the Midlands dampened Bologna\u2019s spirits ahead of this must-win showdown, casting further doubt on their bid to win three consecutive league matches for only the third time this season.<\/span><\/p>\n Juventus<\/strong><\/p>\n Spalletti celebrated his contract extension with a crucial win at the New Balance Arena, as Juventus extended their unbeaten run in Serie A to six games (W4, D2). It\u2019s worth noting that only reigning champions Napoli accumulated more points in that stretch than the Bianconeri, with the Turin giants keeping four clean sheets in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n Juventus\u2019 indomitable home record against sides starting this round of fixtures outside the division\u2019s top five can inspire further confidence (W7, D5). In fact, Spalletti\u2019s men have suffered just one Serie A defeat on home soil all season (W9, D6), reinforcing their status as firm favorites heading into this mouth-watering encounter.<\/span><\/p>\n Furthermore, Juventus boast an intimidating 14-game unbeaten home streak against Bologna (W10, D4). However, it\u2019s worth noting that three of their last four meetings at the Allianz Stadium ended all square, suggesting the hosts would be naive to take anything for granted despite eking out a 1-0 win in December\u2019s reverse fixture at Renato Dall\u2019Ara.<\/span><\/p>\n Bologna<\/strong><\/p>\n Juan Cabal\u2019s winner earlier this season ended a run of five consecutive league draws between Juventus and Bologna, extending the Rossoblu\u2019s wait for a first top-flight victory against this opposition to 27 matches. Indeed, Bologna\u2019s last Serie A win against the Bianconeri came in February 2011, perhaps best illustrating the magnitude of the task ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n Still, back-to-back victories over the relegation-threatened duo Lecce and Cremonese have kept Bologna\u2019s dream of securing a top-seven finish alive. Moreover, the visitors have won their last four away league matches and could make it five triumphs in a row for only the second time in the club\u2019s history. Unfortunately, that looks easier said than done.<\/span><\/p>\n Vincenzo Italiano\u2019s men have yet to win away against higher-ranked opponents in the league this season (D1, L3). However, after scoring in 14 consecutive away league outings, Bologna will back themselves to trouble Juventus\u2019 backline and make life difficult for their more esteemed hosts.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to Cabal, who scored a winner in the reverse fixture, Juventus will also be without star striker Dusan Vlahovic. Arkadiusz Milik is likely to miss the rest of the season due to a muscle injury, meaning high-flying Boga could lead the line again. On the bright side, USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie returns from suspension.<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Bologna\u2019s sizable injury list features the likes of Thijs Dallinga, Nicolo Casale, Benjamin Dominguez, and first-choice goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski. All eyes will be on long-serving stalwart Riccardo Orsollini, who ended his scoreless Serie A run last weekend against Lecce.<\/span><\/p>\n Juventus (4-2-3-1):<\/strong> Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Thuram, Locatelli; Conceicao, McKennie, Yildiz; Boga.<\/span><\/p>\n Bologna (4-3-3):<\/strong> Ravaglia; Zortea, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Moro, Freuler, Pobega; Orsolini, Castro, Rowe.<\/span><\/p>\n Backing Bologna to end their 15-year drought in this fixture doesn\u2019t make much sense despite their impressive away form. Thursday\u2019s fiasco at Villa Park must have stripped Italiano\u2019s side of confidence, boosting Juventus\u2019 bid to build on recent victories.<\/span><\/p>\nMatch Preview<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Team News<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Juventus vs Bologna Potential Starting Lineups<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Juventus vs Bologna Prediction<\/strong><\/h2>\n