Juventus vs Verona Predictions

• Juventus were knocked out of the Coppa Italia at home by Empoli on Wednesday
• Verona have avoided defeat by more than one goal in 10 of 13 away games this season
• Juventus have won only two of their last eight home games by more than one goal

Knives out for Motta in Turin

The atmosphere at Allianz Stadium could turn as toxic as reports suggest some of the Juventus’ players feel about Thiago Motta if the Old Lady don’t get off to a good start against Verona on Monday evening.

The Bianconeri were booted out of the Coppa Italia on penalties by Empoli in midweek and will not deliver silverware again this season, heightening tensions around the club this week. Motta has been called out by influential ex-players for lacking the ‘obsession’ to win matches while some un-named current stars are said to be fed up with his management style.

It certainly looks like Juventus are way off where they ought to be after a major rebuilding programme last summer and their inability to put teams away when they have them on the hook is a major reason for their mediocre results. The expected goals from Wednesday’s game were pretty similar to the corresponding league meeting of the clubs earlier this month that Juve won 4-1, but on this occasion the Azzurri held on for a draw.

Verona capable of pushing hosts hard

Despite the addition of Randal Kolo Muani in January, Motta’s men still don’t score enough goals, having managed no more than a solitary strike in each of their last four outings. That makes them hard to back with any confidence when a Verona side that gained confidence from last week’s 1-0 win over Fiorentina arrive in Turin.

I Gialloblu have avoided defeat in four of their last six Serie A away games and rarely go down without a fight on the road. They have lost only three of their 13 away games this season by more than a goal and can keep this Juventus side on a short leash too.

Juventus, who have won only two of their last eight home games by more than one goal, may have to settle for a 2-1 win at best with Paulo Zanetti’s side capable of grabbing a goal after bagging in nine of those 13 away trips.