90min

Juventus vs Sampdoria Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

By Lewis Pangratiou

This will be Pirlo's first game in charge of Juventus
This will be Pirlo's first game in charge of Juventus / Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
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Juventus aim to get off to a winning start in their 20/21 Serie A campaign when they host Sampdoria at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

The Italian giants won their ninth successive Serie A title last season, meanwhile, Sampdoria finished in their lowest position for four years (15th) after losing 20 of their 38 games - their worst record at this level.

It's Andrea Pirlo's first competitive game in charge this weekend.
It's Andrea Pirlo's first competitive game in charge this weekend. / Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Club legend Andrea Pirlo begins life as the new boss in Turin. He is expected to deliver in all competitions - that much was made clear when Juventus parted ways with Maurizio Sarri after just one year in charge despite winning the league.

It won't be an easy homecoming for Pirlo though, as the experienced Claudio Ranieri will be looking to come away with a surprise result.

Where to Watch on TV

When is Kick Off? Sunday 20th September What Time is Kick Off? 19.45 (BST) Where is it Being Played? The Allianz Stadium.
TV Channel/Live Stream? Premier Sports
Referee? Marco Piccinini

Team News

Matthijs de Ligt will be out of the picture for a while following shoulder surgery.

Federico Bernardeschi and Paulo Dybala are both suffering from thigh strains, while Alex Sandro is also a doubt after a muscular problem he suffered in training. Dejan Kulusevski and Arthur are both expected to make their debuts for the club.

Juventus will be without Matthijs de Ligt for a while after he had surgery on his shoulder.
Juventus will be without Matthijs de Ligt for a while after he had surgery on his shoulder. / Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Sampdoria also have a couple of absentees to contend with.

Kristoffer Askildsen is suspended following his red card on the final weekend of the 2019-20 season, whereas 20-year-old winger Felice D'Amico is out with an injury.

Predicted Lineups

Juventus (3-5-2): Szczesny; Demiral, Bonucci, Chiellini; Cuadrado, Rabiot, Arthur, Bentancur, Pellegrini; Kulusevski, Ronaldo.

Sampdoria (4-4-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Colley, Yoshida, Augello; Depaoli, Thorsby, Ekdal, Jankto, Bonazzoli, Quagliarella.

Prediction

We expect Ronaldo to get on the scoresheet.
We expect Ronaldo to get on the scoresheet. / Stefano Guidi/Getty Images

After parting with the old (Blaise Matuidi and Gonzalo Higuain) and adding potential stars Arthur, Kulusevski and Weston McKennie to their ranks, Juventus' side looks far more exciting now than it did a few months ago.

Sampdoria will need to rely on the veteran Fabio Quagliarella in attack - their only likely goal threat. Meanwhile, central defenders Omar Colley and Maya Yoshida will have to play extremely well to keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet - the Portuguese legend scored his 100th goal for his country last week and will be looking to add to his Serie A goalscoring tally from the get go.

It won't be easy, but expect Pirlo to get his side off to a winning start.

Prediction: Juventus 3-1 Sampdoria