'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Defending Serie A champions Juventus take on AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in what's set to be another potential banana skin in their pursuit of an eight-consecutive Scudetto.
With Inter Milan taking the top spot on the Serie A table after their draw against Atalanta, the Bianconeri will aim to regain the spot with another victory, but that's easier said than done against the resurgent Giallorossi.
Fourth in the table and back in contention for European football, Roma have put all the embarrassments of last year's disastrous campaign behind them. Paulo Fonseca is successfully reviving the club as they once again look like an exciting outfit.
Trending
To put things into perspective, Roma has the fifth-highest number of goals scored in the league and boast the third-best defensive record. Players like Edin Dzeko are back to their best whereas Chris Smalling has slotted seamlessly into the team since his loan move from Manchester United in the summer.
Juventus, however, pose a different threat and also shows where this side is heading.
Ahead of the exciting clash, let's look at how the stars of Juve and Roma align together in a combined starting XI. (Formation used is 4-1-3-2)
Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus)
The Bianconeri haven't been able to stem the flow of goals conceded, but the Polish shotstopper has nevertheless been at his best. He's maintained five clean sheets from 11 appearances - third-highest in the league - and conceded 10 goals. His average of 3.9 saves per 90 minutes also puts him inside the top 10 brackets.
Even though he can't quite claim to be the outright best goalkeeper per se, Szczesny has nevertheless usurped the evergreen Gianluigi Buffon, who's now his deputy. Now that's a testament to his growing importance to the side.
Szczesny hasn't kept a clean sheet against any of the top six sides in the division. So with another assuring performance, he may want to erase the anomaly.
Right-back: Juan Cuadrado (Juventus)
Juan Cuadrado has taken to his responsibilities as an attacking wing-back like a fish to water. He came out of nowhere as the answer to Juve's problems in that position since the departure of Joao Cancelo and has now made the role his own.
The 31-year old has provided four assists from that position, but it's the defensive contributions that have impressed the most as he averages 2.3 tackles, 1.1 interceptions and commits only 0.8 fouls.
He was on the brink of leaving Juventus in the summer but has now transformed into an indispensable member of its defence.
Center-back: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)
Juve's long-serving defender made a shock move to AC Milan in 2017, but returned to Turin just a year later and immediately regained his position. It was like he never left. And now he's having another fine season.
Bonucci is the only player from the squad to have started every league game - a clear indication of how important he is to Sarri's set-up.
He has also effectively stepped up in the absence of Giorgio Chiellini, who's out of action due to an injury, and has been a leader at the back. His return of three strikes is also a timely reminder of how deadly he is from set-pieces.
Center-back: Chris Smalling (AS Roma)
Chris Smalling became the latest English player to move away from the Premier League when he left Manchester United for AS Roma last summer in search of greener pastures. From his showings for the Giallorossi so far, it looks like he's buried all the frustrations of last season.
His aggressiveness and strong aerial ability have reinforced solidity in Roma's backline, as Smalling's overall gameplay looks better than what it has been in years thanks to consistent gametime. Roma might have already been convinced to turn this loan spell into a permanent one.
Left-back: Aleksandar Kolarov (AS Roma)
Signed for a paltry €5 million in 2017, Kolarov has made an absolute mockery of the fee as he's consistently been the league's best wing-back. He was the highest assist-making defender in his first season and then turned into the highest scoring defender last season.
With another five goals in this campaign, it's safe to say he's continued from where he left off last time around. Highly dynamic and productive, Kolarov shows no signs of slowing down even at 34 and was rewarded for his efforts with a contract extension last month.
Defensive midfielder: Miralem Pjanic (Juventus)
The Bosnian has taken to every midfield role in his career with aplomb, and he's now thriving as a regista under Maurizio Sarri. He's the foundation of the Italian's system - the deepest lying midfielder whether it's 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 diamond.
Pjanic not only allows players in front of him to drift into the final third but also holds up the ball exceptionally well. He has also completed the most number of passes in the squad and maintains an eye for goal too - he's been directly involved in five league goals. Quite simply, Pjanic is a complete package.
Right winger: Nicolo Zaniolo (AS Roma)
At only 20, Zaniolo has already established himself as a key member of Roma's set-up. And with four goals and an assist so far in the season, his stock continues to rise. Fast, tenacious and utterly dominant on the ball, Zaniolo's style of play has earned him parallels to club legend Francesco Totti.
Manager Fonseca's decision to move him out wide has paid dividends as it has seemed to unlock an extra level or two in his game. He's never looked happier and the positivity in his body language bodes perfectly well for a resurgent Roma.
Attacking midfielder: Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma)
If you compile a list of the best playmaking midfielders, then Pellegrini is a name that should be somewhere near the top right now. Touted to be Italy's next big thing, the 23-year old is the creative chief for the Giallorossi.
He has assisted seven times in the league - the highest only behind Lazio's Luis Alberto - despite missing in action for over a month due to injury and also averages 2.9 key passes per game. Pellegrini's excellent vision, reading, and creativity are turning him into a world-class trequartista.
Left winger: Diego Perotti (AS Roma)
Perotti's start to the 2019/20 season was delayed until October due to an unfortunate hamstring injury, and after promising from the bench in a few games after returning, he has firmly re-established himself in the starting XI.
In his last six starts alone in all competitions, he's been involved in five goals whereas his first touch suggests he was never out of the team.
The 31-year-old has bounced back stronger after a lengthy lay-off, and Roma needs him to conjure his A-1 game again on Sunday to take something out of the big match.
Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
The Portuguese ace may have several problems, but age certainly isn't one as he continues to bang in the goals for the Bianconeri in what's turning out to be another successful season for him.
He scored a hat-trick last time out - Ronaldo's first ever in the Serie A - to take his tally up to 13 for the season, as he remains hot on the coattails of leaders Ciro Immobile and Romelu Lukaku for the Golden Boot.
Striker: Edin Dzeko (AS Roma)
It was tough to choose between Gonzalo Higuain and Edin Dzeko, as both strikers are on a good run at the moment, but the AS Roma hitman gets the nod here courtesy to better stats as well as having accrued more playing time than his Argentinian counterpart.
Dzeko is firing at all cylinders once again after a struggling year, netting seven times from 16 appearances and assisting another five goals. He's sharp, lethal and exudes confidence - all of which was desperately lacking from his game in the previous campaign.
