24.10.2017 12:32 - in: Serie A S

Juventus vs SPAL Match Preview

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Juventus host SPAL for the first time in Serie A since 1968 on Wednesday at the Allianz Stadium

It's a momentus occasion on Wednesday night at Allianz Stadium as Juventus host SPAL for the first time competitively in 44 years (2 September 1973 a 5-0 Bianconeri win in Coppa Italia) and for the first time in Serie A in 49 years (12 May 1968, a 1-0 Bianconeri win on a Zigoni goal).

Here's everything to get you ready for Wednesday's match with kickoff set for 20.45 CEST:

TWO WINS ON THE SPIN

After the surprising defeat to Lazio nearly two weeks ago, Juventus have bounced back in emphatic fashion with a crucial 2-1 UEFA Champions League win over Sporting CP followed by Sunday's stunning 6-2 win away to Udinese.

Juve scored six away from home in the league for the first time since November 2012 on Sunday night with Sami Khedira bagging his first professional hat-trick. Daniele Rugani added a goal and an assist as well on his return to the lineup as the 10-man Bianconeri made a strong statement of intent to the rest of the league.

With the win, Juve now sit a point behind Inter heading into Tuesday night's match between the Nerazzuri and Sampdoria while the Bianconeri are three points behind first-place Napoli at the top of the Serie A table.

SPAL RETURNS TO THE BIG TIME

SPAL heads to Allianz Stadium for the first time on Wednesday night as the Ferrara club returns to the Serie A big time for the first season since 1968. It's been an absolutely amazing run for SPAL who were in the inaugural Lega Pro season in 2014-15 before securing a spot in Serie B for the 2016-17 season. It took SPAL just one season to earn promotion to the top flight.

As expected, it hasn't been an easy go in Serie A for SPAL earning five points from nine matches which currently has the Biancazzurri in 19th place in the table.

SPAL came hot out of the gate earning a point away to Lazio on the opening week of the season before defeating Udinese 3-2 in their first home match. However, since matchday two, SPAL have earned just one point from seven matches.

Perhaps the most recognizable name on the SPAL roster is forward Marco Borriello who has earned a handful of caps for the Italian National Team spending a short time at Juventus in 2012. Former Italy youth national team forward Alberto Paloschi provides punch up top as well.

#JUVESPAL MATCH STATS

Juventus is 20-1-11 in 32 all-time meetings against SPAL. The only win for SPAL coming in 1957.

Juventus have scored in 38 straight Serie A matches, just five off the record of 43 set by the Bianconeri between February 2013 and March 2014.

Juventus have won 27 of 28 matches with Daniele Rugani in the lineup(only defeat in 2016 to Verona).

Gonzalo Higuain has already provided three assists this season, equaling his entire total from last campaign and one more than the 2015/16 season. He currently sits on 98 Serie A goals.

Only Edin Dzeko(three) has hit woodwork more times in Serie A than Paulo Dybala and Higuain(two).

Juve have scored 10 goals in the first half-hour of matches this season, three more than any other Serie A team. This was a stat Juve led the league in last season.

SPAL is one of two teams along with Benevento who does not have a player with two goals in the league this season.

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