:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45843102/461350306.0.jpg)
Juventus have been in a bit of a rut lately. They haven't lost in the league in months, but they've drawn three out of their last five league matches, lost at home to Fiorentina in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Thursday, and haven't put in a particularly impressive performance in a month. They've got a lot of frustration to work out, and Juve fans are hoping they'll take it out on Sassuolo today.
For their part, Sassuolo are hoping to turn around a recent spiral in form, losing three matches on the trot and going winless since the first day of February. They had made an impressive run up the table, including shock wins over both Inter and AC Milan, but a bad run of injury luck has taken the wind out of their sails. This is a very real chance for Sassuolo to find some form again, though, hoping to take advantage of Juventus while their focus seems to be wavering. It's not as though this is necessarily a must-win for Juventus anyways, with an eight point lead over Roma thanks to the capital club's own struggles of late.
Key player - Arturo Vidal (Juventus)
With Andrea Pirlo still out of action, the bulk of the responsibility for driving Juventus' attack and creativity falls on Vidal. It's something that the Chilean has struggled with at times this season, but that doesn't change the fact that the result of this match for Juve very much rests on his shoulders. If he struggles to connect their midfield to Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente, it's going to be a long match for the Bianconeri and far more difficult to win than they'd like.
Key Matchup - Patrice Evra (Juventus) vs. Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo)
Sassuolo have benefited from Juventus' eye for young talent and development several times over the past few years, with Berardi representing the biggest boon they've gotten. The young Italian forward has performed remarkably well for Sassuolo over the last two seasons, and he's a constant threat whenever Sassuolo get forward. Evra has often struggled with athletic, tricky players like Berardi this season thanks to his legs not being what they once were, so Sassuolo's best chance to win the match is to exploit this matchup.
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Andrea Pirlo (calf), Martin Caceres (ankle) Kwadwo Asamoah (knee), Romulo (knee), Luca Marrone (thigh) In doubt: Kingsley Coman (shin), Stefano Sturaro (ankle)
Sassuolo injuries and suspensions
Out: Marcello Gazzola (suspension), Paolo Cannavaro (knee), Luca Antei (knee), Emanuele Terranova (knee), Gianluca Pegolo (leg) In doubt: Antonio Floro Flores (hamstring), Sime Vrsaljko (muscular), Federico Peluso (muscular)
Match Date/Time: Monday, 4:00 p.m. ET, 9:00 p.m. local
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. & Canada), Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia (Italy), BT Sport 1
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S. & Canada), Sky GO Italia, Premium Play (Italy)