PRE MATCH: JUVENTUS VS BOLOGNA

A reinvigorated Juventus will hope to get their domestic season back on track when Bologna come to the Allianz Stadium on Sunday for a Serie A fixture.

Their most troublesome issues under rookie coach Andrea Pirlo have been a disjointed midfield and in defence, where the Bianconeri have curiously kept just three clean sheets to date - despite having one of the best 'goals conceded' columns on the peninsula.

Certainly, that is where their weaknesses were exposed by the ruthless counter-attacking of experienced Inter last week, as Pirlo's men capitulated in the Derby d'Italia.

Subsequent victory in the Supercoppa has proved a pleasant distraction from their recent travails, as they have slipped ten points off the furious pace set by would-be 'Winter Champions' Milan - albeit with a game in hand.

Ahead of next week's eminently winnable Coppa Italia quarter-final tie with Serie B side SPAL, Bologna's visit would appear to present a perfect opportunity to keep the pressure on in the Milan clubs' rear-view mirror - with the Emilian outfit a regular whipping boy for the Old Lady.

During their superb streak of nine consecutive league-winning seasons, Juventus have gone unbeaten against Bologna in Serie A - winning 13 and drawing three of their 16 meetings.

Final Analysis:

There can be little evidence to present a case for anything other than a home win in Turin this Sunday - particularly as Bologna tend to wilt away from their beloved Emilian base.

This encounter could prove an opportunity for Alvaro Morata to get back on the scoresheet and finally nail down a definitive spot in Andrea Pirlo's first-choice selection.

Final Score : Juventus 3-0 Bologna