Juventus Vs. Udinese, 2012 Serie A: Preview Of Saturday's Must-Watch Match

By Kirsten Schlewitz - Italian Soccer Editor

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Jan 28, 2012 - Hey, guys, what's black and white and red all over? Well, besides this preview, of course (snicker), it just might be Saturday's match between Juventus and Udinese. These bianconeri have been the talk of Serie A so far, and although it's Juve that hold the title of Winter Champions, Udinese sit just three points back, leaving open the possibility of re-taking a joint lead at the top of Serie A. But will the visitors finally put a stop to the Old Lady's nineteen-match unbeaten run?

A half-season without a loss is impressive, yes, but Antonio Conte's Juventus are a bit cautious for a club sitting top of the table, with eight draws to eleven wins. But then again, this isn't the same Udinese of last season, the team with the attitude of "we'll just score one more." The zebrette have conceded just 14 thus far this year, second to -- you guessed it -- Juventus's 12. And the last time the two sides met, just five weeks ago at the Friuli, the result was a nil-nil draw.

There's not much reason to expect anything different in the reverse fixture, either, not with both clubs trying with all their might not to drop points. Udinese might have more of a reason for optimism, however, as both Claudio Marchisio and Simone Pepe -- who both threatened Samir Handanovic last time around -- are doubts for Saturday evening. Both picked up injuries in last weekend's win over Atalanta.

Yet Udinese have their own concerns, including the absence of Medhi Benatia and Kwadwo Asamoah on African Cup of Nations duty, and concern over whether Giampiero Pinzi will be fit enough to play. It looks as though Antonio Di Natale will be carrying his side even more than usual - but will even captain Toto be able to defeat birthday boy Gigi Buffon?

Read More: bianconeri, Kwadwo Asamoah (MIDFIELDER - Ghana), Claudio Marchisio (MIDFIELDER - Italy), Antonio Di Natale (F - Italy), Simone Pepe (F - Italy), Samir Handanovic (GOALKEEPER - Slovenia), Udinese, Juventus

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