When will Juve get their act together again?
The Italian record champions Juventus Turin have taken just two points from a possible twelve in their first four league games. The Zebre are currently 19th in the table and could now go without a win in the first five matchdays for the first time since the 1955/56 season if Spezia Calcio fail to turn things around
The Aquilotti, meanwhile, celebrated their first treble of the young season on Sunday, climbing to twelfth place. Nevertheless, according to the bookmakers’ odds, Spezia are the clear underdogs against Juventus at their home Stadio Alberto Picco. The Ligurians already lost the first and second legs against the Vecchia Signora last season.
However, the performance of the Italian record champions has been unimpressive of late. Accordingly, the Aquilotti have every reason to be confident going into the match, in which the pressure is clearly on the side of the Zebre
Accordingly, we see a lot of value in playing Spezia against Juventus with an Asian handicap of +1.5 on the home side. This covers not only any point gained by the supposed underdogs but also any win by the favourites from Turin with only a one-goal difference.
Italy Spezia – Statistics & current form
Spezia Calcio played in the fourth division a decade ago. In the meantime, however, the unofficial champions of 1944 are part of Serie A for the second year in a row, in which the Aquilotti (the little eagles) sensationally managed to stay in 15th place this summer.
Now the northern Italians face the great challenge of building on this success and avoiding relegation once again. Under new coach Thiago Motta, the first “big point” for staying in the league was scored on Sunday.
Four points out of a possible twelve from the first four games
At promoted Venezia, the Ligurians scored the golden goal in the fourth minute of injury time to win 2-1 away. The team from La Spezia now has four points out of a possible twelve and has climbed to twelfth place.
However, just how much they lack to reach the top teams in Serie A was already evident on the second matchday, when the Aquilotti went down 6-1 to Lazio Roma. Ultimately, however, it is primarily the games against the smaller teams in which the Ligurians need to score points.
Lost two of last four home games in league play
Certainly, the Motta eleven will not go into the home match against the Italian record champions with the greatest expectations. After all, the Aquilotti are the glaring underdogs. The bookmaker ComeOn, tested by Wettbasis, offers odds for tip 1 of 8.75 for Spezia against Juventus.
Nevertheless, the home record of the Ligurians reads quite acceptable. It is true that Spezia Calcio have lost two of their last four home games in Serie A. Before that, they were the best at home. Before that, however, they had gone unbeaten in their home Stadio Alberto Picco six times in a row with three wins and three draws The underdogs will not have to hide against the crisis-ridden Zebre, who are also under pressure to make a move.
Predicted line-up of Spezia:
Zoet – Bastoni – Hristov – Nikolaou – Amian – Ferrer – Sala – Bourabia – Gyasi – Salcedo – Manaj
Last matches played by Spezia:
Italy Juventus – Statistics & current form
There are already 36 national championships on record for Italian serial and record champions Juventus Torino, who also made a significant mark on the 2010s and celebrated nine Scudettos in a row between 2012 and 2020.
This summer, however, the Zebre had to settle for fourth place. Only their 14th overall victory in the Coppa Italia could console them for an otherwise disappointing season. Andrea Pirlo had to go, however, and with Massimiliano Allegri an old success coach was brought back to play at the top again this year.
Only two points from a possible twelve for the opener
But the record after four league games played is devastating.
Not only is the Vecchia Signora still waiting for their first treble. Juve also played officially their worst start to a season since 1961, leaving spirits as low as can be.
Those who hoped that the 3-0 away win at Malmö FF on the first matchday of the Champions League could turn the tide were disappointed once again at the weekend in the home match against AC Milan. In the end, despite a strong first half, the Piedmont kickers could not go beyond a 1-1 draw.
First four goals scored
In addition to the defence, which has conceded goals in all four league games so far, the Italian record champions’ current problem child is their offence. It is true that striker Paulo Dybala has been involved in five goals in his last five league games (two goals, three assists). In total, however, Juve have only scored four goals, making them the fourth weakest attackers in Serie A. The last-minute sale of Cristiano Ronaldo is correspondingly upsetting for many Tifosi.
The best bet for Spezia against Juventus is therefore that even if the Vecchia Signora score their first three goals, they will only win by a maximum of one goal difference.
Predicted Juventus line-up:
Szczesny – Sandro – Bonucci – de Ligt – Danilo – Rabiot – Locatelli – Bentacur – Chiesa – Kean – Dybala
Last matches played by Juventus:
Spezia – Juventus Direct comparison / H2H record
Head to head: 2 – 4 – 2
Eight times the two teams have faced each other in a competitive match and the record is surprisingly even, although half of the games date back almost 100 years. Last season, in any case, Juve celebrated a win over Spezia in both the first and second legs.
Italy Spezia – Juventus Italy Tip
For Spezia against Juventus, the prediction must first and foremost take into account the Zebre’s false start. The Vecchia Signora have had their worst start since 1961, are still winless after four league games with only four goals scored and are 19th in the table. On paper, the Zebre are clear favourites against Spezia Calcio. But it remains to be seen whether they can force a turnaround under pressure
We see a lot of value in applying an Asian handicap of +1.5 on the underdog. This not only automatically covers any point win for the Ligurians, but also includes any outcome where Juve win by a maximum of one goal difference
