Straddling this game like the Sword of Damocles, is Juve's midweek trip to Galatasaray in the Champions League, where they have to avoid defeat to progress to the knock out stage, having already struggled against the Turkish champions in Turin, they will be well aware of what awaits them in Istanbul. Holding a healthy three point advanatge over Roma at the top of Serie A, I know full well that Juve would snatch your arm off for a 1-0 win this evening and if they do take the lead, I expect them to go into their shell and conserve as much energy as possible for Tuesday.

Juventus have really hit their stride in Serie A, scored a few goals , conceding few and that Roma five point advantage of a month ago has disappeared and the Old Lady is back on top. Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente are starting to gel up front and things are suddenly looking rosy, but they are at the foot of this Champions League group and simply have to win tonight and I feel it will be more about the result, than performance and that unless the first goal comes very early,we will see Juve adopt a professional and pragmatic approach.

Serie A:

On the road, Genoa are 2-2-6, but have only conceded 13 goals, just one less than 3rd placed Lazio, they are well organised, disciplined and keep their shape well, they have performed well against the top clubs conceding just two goals and collecting five points from visits to Lazio, Udinese, Milan and Inter.

No Andrea Pirlo or Giorgio Chielleni for Juventus, who even given their resources, face a daunting 17 days with Serie A matches against Chievo and Fiorentina, a Champions League trip to Glasgow and Coppa Italia semi final against Lazio.