Juventus play host to Frosinone in Turin on Friday evening looking to extend their unbeaten Serie A streak this season to 24 matches.
Frosinone make the trip to the defending champions having won just three matches in the league this season, but the visitors are only two points adrift of safety.
Juventus
© ReutersMassimiliano Allegri had to deal with his side recording a rare two-game winless streak during his preparations for last weekend's game with Sassuolo, but that only led to a stronger focus being placed on victory being achieved at the third time of asking.
Allegri again had to deal with injury problems in his defence, but a convincing win and a clean sheet was achieved with minimal fuss and now Juventus appear back on track in their quest for an unbeaten Serie A campaign.
Their upcoming schedule gets no easier with the return of the Champions League, but that is perhaps what Juventus need in order to replicate some of their performances from earlier in the season.
Facing Frosinone in front of the club's own supporters is the ideal warm-up for the first leg of the double-header with Atletico Madrid, and Allegri must decide whether to take the chance to rest Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 34-year-old again played 90 minutes last weekend as Allegri continued to show an over-reliance on a player who has now contributed 18 goals and seven assists in Serie A this season, but the time will surely come at some stage where the Portuguese superstar is given a game out of the spotlight.
However, that may not come until his teammates begin to deliver in front of goal with only Mario Mandzukic having performed to a high level in the final third, and the likes of Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa remain on three league strikes between them for the season.
Allegri's more pressing concerns are likely to revolve around his backline, although there are signs that their injury crisis at the back may ease over the next week.
Whether any of the recovering players will be risked against Frosinone remains to be seen, but Allegri will be calling on contributions all over the pitch ahead of the team's biggest match of the season next week.
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Frosinone
© ReutersFrosinone have looked relegation certainties since the end of September, but there are signs that the Canarini believe that they are capable of earning another year in Italy's top flight.
A 10-match winless streak had threatened to leave Frosinone out of touch along with Chievo, but two victories from three outings has really changed the complexion at the bottom of the standings.
Marco Baroni's team now find themselves just a win away from moving outside of the bottom three and although another triumph may not be recorded this weekend, there is at least optimism that the great escape can be achieved.
Frosinone remain without a win at home all season - something which will inevitably have to change sooner rather than later - but wins away at Bologna and Sampdoria can act as the catalyst for the rest of the season.
The success at Bologna was aided by an early red card, but Frosinone held on to a lead for 65 minutes plus added-on time at Sampdoria to show that they have the character to get out of trouble.
The next task for Baroni is to find a player who can go on to reach double figures before the end of the season, with Camillo Ciano currently the only player who has contributed more than three goals in Serie A.
There have also been just seven different scorers since the middle of August, and Frosinone remain with the poorest record in the final third.
The main plus point for Baroni is that his team are currently outperforming their nearest rivals - they sit 12th over the last sixth matches - and there is likely to be little fear when they go toe-to-toe with their more illustrious opponents on Friday night.
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Team News
© ReutersRonaldo should start for Juventus on Friday night, although the attacker has spent time training away from the squad this week.
Leonardo Bonucci has returned to training after an ankle problem but may remain out of the squad, but this game is likely to come too soon for Giorgio Chiellini and Costa.
Emre Can and Rodrigo Bentancur may be handed starts in midfield, with Miralem Pjanic and Blaise Matuidi potentially being rested for the game with Atletico, but Alex Sandro serves a one-match suspension.
Baroni is likely to select the same side which began the match with Sampdoria, barring any late fitness issues.
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Cancelo, Rugani, Caceres, Sciglio; Can, Khedira, Bentancur; Dybala, Ronaldo, Mandzukic
Frosinone possible starting lineup:
Sportiello; Goldaniga, Salamon, Capuano; Zampano; Chibsah, Maiello, Cassata, Beghetto; Ciofani, Ciani
Head To Head
The two have met on just three occasions in Italy's top flight, but the dominant team in the country have not always had it their own way.
A 92nd-minute goal from Leonardo Blanchard earned Frosinone a dramatic 1-1 draw when the teams met in Turin in September 2015, before Juventus prevailed 2-0 in the reverse fixture later that season.
The same scoreline occurred at Stadio Benito Stirpe during the current campaign, but Juventus did not open the scoring until the 81st minute.
We say: Juventus 4-0 Frosinone
Allegri is likely to take the opportunity to rest some of his star men for Friday's game, but that should not prevent the home side from coasting to a comfortable win.
