27 February 2015
Goals in store
History would suggest that the net could be bulging at least once in the capital on Monday night: Juventus have failed to find the back of the net in just one of their previous 19 Serie A encounters against Roma, with the last goalless draw being played out in February 2002.
Score draw?
Since overcoming Inter 4-2 at the end of November, Rudi Garcia’s men have registered five consecutive home draws in the top flight for the first time since 1980/81.
Another stalemate on Monday night against a Bianconeri outfit who have drawn their last two encounters on the road would establish a new club record.
Unbeaten records
Roma are unbeaten in 14 Serie A games but have drawn six of their last seven. Four of these have been by a 1-1 scoreline.
Juventus have gone one better by avoiding defeat in 15 top flight matches - winning 10, drawing five and keeping seven clean sheets during this run.
Possession play
The Giallorossi and Bianconeri possess the division’s highest average possession counts with 62.4 per cent and 60 per cent respectively.
Goals across the park
While the Bianconeri’s charge to the top of the table has been spearheaded by top scorer Carlos Tevez (who has 14 Serie A strikes to his name so far this campaign), Roma offer greater variety in terms of goal threats.
No less than 15 players have found the target for the Giallorossi in this year’s top flight, a figure bettered only by Fiorentina with 17.
Their main man in the final third, Adem Ljajic, has struck eight Serie A goals, while Radja Nainggolan has had the most shots (39), three of which have rippled the back of the net.
Shots from range
Monday’s visitors lead the way in terms of goals bagged from outside the box, registering 14 throughout the course of the season so far.
The confirmed absence of Andrea Pirlo, who has hit three of these, will mean Arturo Vidal will be looking to step up to the plate and continue his decent scoring record against the Giallorossi (four in six) by netting his first ever strike in the capital.
Incidentally, both teams are Serie A’s strongest at defending efforts from outside the area, conceding just two apiece, both from open play.
