Roma vs Juventus Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Max Cooper
Andrea Pirlo can build on his winning start as the new Juventus coach on Sunday evening, when his side travel to the Italian capital to take on an AS Roma team still on the hunt for their first points of the season.
Pirlo's men gave him the perfect welcoming gift on the opening day of the campaign, bagging a convincing 3-0 victory over Sampdoria, as debutant Dejan Kulusevski kicked off the scoring with his first goal for the Old Lady.
As for Roma, their start to the season has been chaotic, to say the least. I Giallorossi actually earned a decent point on the road at Hellas Verona in their curtain raiser, but a clerical error (the fielding of an unregistered player) meant they were forced to concede the game as a 3-0 defeat. Good start, then.
These two sides regularly put on a spectacle when they go toe to toe, and the Stadio Olimpico will be centre court for an expectant Serie A viewership on Sunday evening.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick Off? Sunday 27 September
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:45 (BST)
Where Is it Played? Stadio Olimpico
TV Channel/Live Stream? Premier Sports 1 (UK) LiveScore (Stream)
Referee? Marco Di Bello
Team News
Well, this part is easy enough. Roma boss Paulo Fonseca has already confirmed his starting XI against Juve, announcing his chosen lineup in Saturday's pre-match press conference. I Giallorossi will be without Rick Karsdorp, after the full-back picked up a knock against Verona, and Marash Kumbulla will step in to make his first start in defence.
The big news in attack is that Roma actually have a striker available. Having seemed destined to join Juve in this transfer window, Edin Dzeko is now staying put, and he will slot straight back into the first team to try and get one over his almost-employers.
I Bianconeri also have their own injury problems, though. Matthijs de Ligt will miss out again, as he did against Samp, along with Alex Sandro, and Federico Bernardeschi. This means Danilo is likely to step in as a make-shift centre-back once more, while Gianluca Frabotta should retain his spot on the left side of defence.
Pirlo could welcome back Paulo Dybala into the fold, having recovered from his own fitness issues, but he is only fit enough to make the bench. The returning Alvaro Morata could be thrown straight into the mix - having recently arrived from Atletico Madrid - but he will start only as a substitute.
Predicted Lineups
Roma: Mirante; Santon, Mancini, Ibanez, Kumbulla, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Veretout, Mkhitaryan, Pedro; Dzeko.
Juventus: Szczesny; Cuadrado; Danilo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Frabotta; McKennie, Rabiot, Ramsey; Kulusevski, Ronaldo.
Recent Form
While we only have one game to judge our two teams upon thus far, it's safe to say that we learned plenty about the whereabouts of both sides. Roma missed some great chances on the opening day, but ultimately laboured to a 0-0 draw with Verona. The Italian giants looked out of sorts and without any real spark, and they'll be grateful to welcome back Dzeko as their focal point.
This draw (and technical loss) came off the back of a wonderful end to the 2019/20 season, where a great run of wins saw Fonseca's side cement their place in the Europa League spots. The less said about the loss to Sevilla in the European competition, the better.
It couldn't be any more contrasting for Juventus, however. Yes, they wrapped up the league with two games to play, but they rarely convinced any of us. Their final two defeats of the domestic campaign (one coming against Roma) was followed up by a shock Champions League exit at the hands of Lyon. Yikes.
However, the change of coach, introduction of some fresh and younger faces, and a new atmosphere around the club has brought a wave of positivity, consolidated by their 3-0 win over Samp.
Here is how both sides have performed in their last five games.
Roma
Verona 3-0 Roma (19/9)
Sevilla 2-0 Roma (06/8)
Juventus 1-3 Roma (01/8)
Torino 2-3 Roma (29/7)
Roma 2-1 Fiorentina (26/7)
Juventus
Juventus 3-0 Sampdoria (20/9)
Juventus 2-1 Lyon (07/8)
Juventus 1-3 Roma (01/8)
Cagliari 2-0 Juventus (29/7)
Juventus 2-0 Sampdoria (26/7)
Prediction
Roma have always pushed Juventus hard in the Italian capital, and even picked up points on the road against I Bianconeri last season, for the first time since they moved to their new stadium. However, this is a Giallorossi side which is a shambles behind the scenes, and not much better on the pitch.
Juve, on the other hand, will be brimming with confidence after getting their feet under the table against Sampdoria, and will smell blood at the Olimpico. What may have seemed a stern test when the calendar was initially decided, now feels far more routine for Pirlo and co.
Roma have goals in this side, and with Dzeko back in contention, they can cause any other team problems on their day. However, Sunday will not be their day. Juve should exploit the clear weaknesses in the Giallorossi midfield and defence, and the visitors will ease to a comfortable victory.
Prediction: Roma 1-3 Juventus