Serie A champions Juventus will be without star striker Cristiano Ronaldo when they head to Crotone for a crucial clash on Saturday.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has tested positive for Covid-19 and he will be forced to isolate until he is no longer contagious. His loss will be keenly felt by a Juventus team that have already fallen behind their rivals in the early stages of the campaign.
Weak opposition
The Bianconeri swept Sampdoria aside in their opener and then drew 2-2 away at Roma last time out. Adrien Rabiot was sent off in the second half, and only a Ronaldo brace rescued them from the jaws of defeat. Elsewhere, Atalanta and AC Milan have won three out of three thus far, so Juventus are playing catch up.
Yet they could not ask for a more comfortable fixture. Crotone finished second in Serie B last term and surged back into Serie A. Yet they spent just €6 million bolstering their squad in the summer – and it shows.
Crotone have lost their opening three games and they are rock bottom of the table. They have scored twice and conceded 10 in that time, leaving them odds-on favourites to be relegated.
A Golden Opportunity
Juventus will be up against the leakiest defence in Serie A on Saturday. Even without Ronaldo, they should secure a comfortable victory. It is time for Alvaro Morata and Paulo Dybala to step up and shine in the great man’s absence.
Dybala was named Serie A player of the year last term, so there are no concerns over him. He missed Argentina’s games against Ecuador and Bolivia, but that was down to a stomach bug rather than injury.
Morata has re-joined Juventus on loan from Atletico Madrid for the season, and he has a point to prove. That duo should fire the Bianconeri to victory.
Tip: Juventus -1 Asian handicap
Stake: One unit
