Juventus vs Roma Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Saturday, December 20th

Juventus vs Roma Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips: This Saturday, 20 December, the Allianz Stadium will host a highly anticipated Serie A clash between Juventus and Roma. Both teams are giants of Italian football, and their encounters frequently provide thrilling action. Juventus, playing at home, will look to capitalise on their familiarity with the Allianz Stadium to secure a crucial victory.

Roma, meanwhile, will aim to challenge Juventus’s dominance and claim valuable points on the road. This fixture is significant as both teams are fighting for top positions in the Serie A standings, making every point vital. With both sides boasting strong squads, fans can expect an intense match that could have major implications for their league campaigns.

Juventus vs Roma Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Both teams to score in the first half: yes	5.75

Given the attacking intensity expected from both teams from the outset, our recommended betting tip is for both teams to score in the first half. Juventus have been scoring consistently but often concede late, while Roma, despite their solid defence, have shown vulnerability in the latter stages.

• Juventus have been winning but only by a single-goal margin, indicating potential defensive lapses.
• Roma have conceded most of their goals in the final quarter of the match, suggesting a tendency towards defensive errors.
• Both teams are likely to press early for a quick goal, increasing the chances of a high-scoring first half.

Betting Odds

Juventus step onto the Allianz Stadium turf as favourites, with odds at 2.02, but Roma’s odds of 3.95 suggest there is value for those backing an upset. The draw, priced at 3.21, also presents a tempting option for punters expecting a closely fought contest.

Betting Tip	Odds
Juventus to win	2.02
Draw	3.21
Roma to win	3.95

Given the attacking prowess of both teams, betting markets are buzzing with opportunities on both teams to score and over 2.5 goals. Juventus’ strong home form and Roma’s ability to surprise on the road make this a fascinating betting landscape.

Juventus Analysis & Past Performance

Juventus have demonstrated commendable consistency in recent form, winning four of their last five matches, including a notable 1-0 away victory against Bologna and a 2-0 triumph over Pafos FC in the Champions League. Their only blemish came in a narrow 2-1 defeat to Napoli. This sequence of results underscores their robust form across competitions.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Bologna	Juventus	0 – 1 (Win)	Serie A	14 Dec 2025
Juventus	Pafos FC	2 – 0 (Win)	Champions League	10 Dec 2025
SSC Napoli	Juventus	2 – 1 (Loss)	Serie A	7 Dec 2025
Juventus	Udinese	2 – 0 (Win)	Coppa Italia	2 Dec 2025
Juventus	Cagliari	2 – 1 (Win)	Serie A	29 Nov 2025

Recent Form:
Juventus have been efficient in attack, averaging 1.60 goals per game over their last five outings, while conceding just 0.60 goals per match. This defensive solidity is further illustrated by their ability to keep three clean sheets in this period. At home, they remain undefeated, boasting three wins and two draws in their last five games, which speaks to their formidable presence at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus currently sit 5th in the Serie A standings with 26 points, reflecting a strong start to the season. Their tactical discipline and ability to control possession have been pivotal. Kenan Yıldız, the team’s top scorer with five goals, continues to be a key player in their attacking setups. Juventus’s blend of defensive resilience and attacking prowess makes them a challenging prospect for any opponent.

• WWLWW

Juventus Suspensions & Injuries

Juventus will face Roma with a few notable absences that could influence their tactical approach. Teun Koopmeiners’s suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards will necessitate a midfield reshuffle, potentially affecting the team’s stability in the centre of the park. The absence of Koopmeiners, a key figure in Juventus’s recent matches, means players like Kenan Yıldız and Manuel Locatelli will need to step up to ensure control in midfield.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Teun Koopmeiners	Yellow cards	1	Unknown

In terms of injuries, Juventus will be without Dušan Vlahović, who is sidelined with a tendon injury until early March 2026. This leaves Jonathan David as the primary attacking option up front, and the team will rely heavily on his ability to find the net against a resilient Roma defence. The unavailability of Arkadiusz Milik and Carlo Pinsoglio further limits Juventus’s options, although their impact may be less significant given the current squad depth.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Arkadiusz Milik	Shin injury	Unknown
Carlo Pinsoglio	Leg injury	Late December 2025
Dušan Vlahović	Tendon injury	Early March 2026
Federico Gatti	Meniscus injury	Mid January 2026

Federico Gatti’s meniscus injury means Juventus must adjust their defensive lineup, with Vasilije Adžić likely stepping in as a replacement. This could affect their defensive solidity, especially against Roma’s attacking threats. Overall, these absences could impact the team’s performance and might sway betting markets slightly in favour of Roma, given the weakened Juventus squad.

Juventus Key Players

Juventus will heavily rely on Kenan Yıldız, their top scorer with five goals this season, to spearhead their attacking efforts against Roma. Yıldız, playing from midfield, possesses an exceptional ability to find space and exploit defensive weaknesses, making him a constant threat in front of goal. His partnership with Jonathan David up front is expected to be dynamic, with David’s agility and finishing skills providing the perfect foil for Yıldız’s creativity and goal-scoring prowess.

Midfield dynamo Manuel Locatelli will be pivotal in dictating the tempo and maintaining possession, while Weston McKennie’s versatility offers both defensive solidity and attacking support. Khéphren Thuram-Ulien’s physical presence in midfield is also crucial, as he can break up opposition play and initiate counter-attacks effectively. Defensively, Pierre Kalulu’s leadership and defensive acumen will be key to organising the backline and thwarting Roma’s advances.

Expected lineup for Juventus:

• Goalkeeper: Michele Di Gregorio
• Defence: Pierre Kalulu, Vasilije Adžić, Lloyd Kelly
• Midfield: Chico Conceição, Kenan Yıldız, Weston McKennie, Manuel Locatelli, Khéphren Thuram-Ulien, Andrea Cambiaso
• Forward: Jonathan David

Juventus Tactics and Formation

Juventus Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Jonathan David
• Midfield Engine: Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli
• Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on width and transitional play.

Juventus, under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti, deploy a 3-4-2-1 formation that maximises both defensive solidity and attacking flexibility. The back three, consisting of Pierre Kalulu, Vasilije Adžić, and Lloyd Kelly, provide a robust defensive structure that has contributed to three clean sheets in recent matches.

In midfield, Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli are pivotal, offering a blend of defensive cover and forward thrust. Their ability to break up play and initiate attacks is crucial for Juventus, particularly given the absence of key forwards like Dušan Vlahović and Arkadiusz Milik due to injury.

Offensively, Juventus focus on width and transitional play, with Chico Conceição and Andrea Cambiaso providing support from the wings. Jonathan David leads the attack, leveraging his pace and movement to exploit spaces behind Roma’s defensive line, aiming to capitalise on quick transitions.

Roma Analysis & Past Performance

Roma have displayed a mixed bag of performances in their recent outings, recording three wins and two losses over their last five matches. This period included a significant 3-0 victory against Celtic in the Europa League, highlighting their capability to perform on the international stage.

Home Side	Away Side	Outcome	Tournament	Date
Roma	Como	1 – 0 (Win)	Serie A	15 Dec 2025
Celtic	Roma	0 – 3 (Win)	Europa League	11 Dec 2025
Cagliari	Roma	1 – 0 (Loss)	Serie A	7 Dec 2025
Roma	SSC Napoli	0 – 1 (Loss)	Serie A	30 Nov 2025
Roma	FC Midtjylland	2 – 1 (Win)	Europa League	27 Nov 2025

Recent Form:
When examining Roma’s recent form, they’ve averaged 1.20 goals per game while conceding just 0.60 goals, reflecting a solid defensive structure with two clean sheets in their last five fixtures. Despite suffering defeats to Serie A competitors Cagliari and Napoli, Roma have shown resilience with a current winning streak of two games.

Away Performance:
Roma’s away form has been commendable, winning three out of their last five away encounters. With a win ratio of 0.60 on the road, Roma have proven to be a formidable opponent away from the Stadio Olimpico, further emphasised by their robust defence, which has conceded only three goals in those matches.

Currently sitting 4th in the Serie A standings with 30 points, Roma’s tactical discipline and strategic prowess are evident. Matías Soulé, their top scorer with four goals, remains a key figure in their attacking lineup, often being the focal point of their offensive plays.

• WWLLW

Roma Suspensions & Injuries

Roma face a few challenges with player availability ahead of their match against Juventus. Notably, Evan N’Dicka’s suspension leaves a gap in the defensive line. His absence, due to international commitments, means Roma will likely rely on Mario Hermoso alongside Gianluca Mancini in the back three. This defensive reshuffle may impact Roma’s solidity at the back, particularly against Juventus’s attacking prowess.

Player	Suspension	Matches Remaining	Expected Return
Neil El Aynaoui	International duty	2	Unknown
Evan N’Dicka	International duty	2	Unknown

On the injury front, Roma will miss Edoardo Bove, who is dealing with heart issues, and Artem Dovbyk, who is doubtful due to a hip injury. Bove’s absence may not significantly alter Roma’s midfield dynamics given their depth, but Dovbyk’s potential unavailability could limit attacking options off the bench, necessitating more reliance on Evan Ferguson up front.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Edoardo Bove	Heart issues	Unknown
Artem Dovbyk	Hip injury	Doubtful

Tactically, Roma may need to adopt a more conservative approach to cover for these absences, potentially affecting their ability to press high and maintain possession in midfield. The reliance on established starters could affect their stamina as the match progresses, possibly influencing betting markets that favour Juventus, especially in the latter stages of the game.

Roma Key Players

Matías Soulé, Roma’s top scorer with four goals, will be pivotal in their offensive strategy against Juventus. His ability to break through defences with his pace and dribbling skills makes him a constant threat. Soulé’s role as an attacking midfielder allows him to link play between midfield and attack, creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

In midfield, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Bryan Cristante are key figures. Pellegrini’s vision and passing accuracy can unlock Juventus’s defence, while Cristante’s physical presence and defensive contributions provide balance. The duo’s interplay will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game and supplying the forwards with quality service.

Expected lineup for Roma

• Goalkeeper: Mile Svilar
• Defence: Angeliño, Gianluca Mancini, Mario Hermoso
• Midfield: Wesley, Bryan Cristante, Devyne Rensch, Matías Soulé, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Manu Koné
• Forward: Evan Ferguson

Evan Ferguson, leading the line, will rely on the support of the midfield to find spaces within the Juventus defence. Meanwhile, Gianluca Mancini’s leadership in defence is essential for maintaining a solid backline. His aerial prowess and tackling ability will be vital in neutralising Juventus’s attacking threats. These players are expected to drive Roma’s tactical approach, focusing on a blend of solid defence and opportunistic counter-attacks.

Roma Tactics and Formation

Roma Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-2-1
• Key Forward: Evan Ferguson
• Midfield Engine: Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné
• Defensive Setup: Three-man defence with Gianluca Mancini as the anchor
• Notable Strategy: Wing-back dynamism and central dominance.

Roma’s 3-4-2-1 formation is structured to maximise control in midfield while offering wing-back support for both defensive duties and attacking transitions. Bryan Cristante and Manu Koné form the midfield core, tasked with breaking up opposition play and initiating forward movements. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Matías Soulé add creativity and flair in the attacking midfield roles.

Defensively, Roma employ a three-man backline with Gianluca Mancini, Angeliño, and Mario Hermoso, providing a mix of physicality and tactical awareness. This setup has contributed to their ability to secure clean sheets, as seen in their recent victory against Como.

Offensively, Roma often exploit the width through dynamic wing-backs like Devyne Rensch and Wesley, who support Evan Ferguson at the forefront. This strategy allows for quick transitions and effective counter-attacks, although reliance on wing-play can sometimes leave them vulnerable to rapid counter-attacks if possession is lost.

Juventus vs Roma H2H Record

In the head-to-head record between Juventus and Roma, Juventus have the upper hand with 27 wins compared to Roma’s 11, while 12 matches have ended in a draw. Their last encounter was a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in April 2025, a typically tight affair in Serie A.

The last time Juventus hosted Roma at the Allianz Stadium, it ended in a goalless draw in September 2024. Juventus have generally been strong at home against Roma, but recent matches have been closely contested.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	League	Date
Roma	Juventus	1 – 1	Serie A	2025-04-06
Juventus	Roma	0 – 0	Serie A	2024-09-01
Roma	Juventus	1 – 1	Serie A	2024-05-05
Juventus	Roma	1 – 0	Serie A	2023-12-30
Roma	Juventus	1 – 0	Serie A	2023-03-05