Struggling Juventus and Roma look to close the gap at the top on the road

After dropping two points over the weekend, Juventus will be keen to quickly get back on track when they travel to face mid-table Sassuolo on Tuesday. Both sides struggled in their most recent matches, each settling for a 1-1 draw against lower-ranked opposition, marking a frustrating start to 2026.

Juventus had aimed to carry the momentum from the end of last year into their home clash with Lecce on Saturday. A fifth consecutive win looked possible after three league victories and a European triumph, with coach Luciano Spalletti even hinting at Scudetto ambitions. Lecce, by contrast, were focused on survival.

However, Juve were caught off guard just before halftime, conceding against the run of play. Weston McKennie struck his first Serie A goal of the season shortly after the break to level the score, but opportunities went begging—Jonathan David’s penalty was easily saved, Kenan Yildiz hit the post, and Lois Openda failed to find the target.

Sassuolo have shown in recent years that Juventus cannot take anything for granted. The hosts have won the last two meetings in Reggio Emilia, including a 1-0 victory in Serie B and a 4-2 triumph six months later, with current stars like Domenico Berardi, Andrea Pinamonti, and Armand Lauriente all finding the net.

Spalletti has often surprised with tactical tweaks and selection choices, so changes are possible, particularly after David’s missed penalty. Dusan Vlahovic remains sidelined, while Juventus are also without defenders Daniele Rugani and Federico Gatti. Utility man Teun Koopmeiners could provide cover in the back.

Jonathan David’s shameful penalty cost Juventus three points

Sassuolo will be missing Woyo Coulibaly, currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, as well as Berardi, Cristian Volpato, Yeferson Paz, Daniel Boloca, and Filippo Romagna through injury.

Elsewhere, Roma will aim to halt their recent slide when they visit Lecce at the Stadio Via del Mare. The capital club’s form has been poor, with four losses in five games leaving them outside Serie A’s top four. Lecce, meanwhile, sit just above the relegation zone after securing a hard-fought draw in Turin.

Gian Piero Gasperini, fresh from a successful nine-year stint at Atalanta where he won the Europa League in 2024, took charge at Roma over the weekend. The Giallorossi have struggled in recent weeks, earning only three points from four league games leading up to Christmas, denting hopes of a return to the Champions League.

In their latest outing, Atalanta capitalized on a rare error from clean-sheet specialist Mile Svilar, while Roma failed to respond, with Paulo Dybala missing their best opportunity. Roma ultimately suffered a 1-0 defeat, with Gasperini publicly criticizing his forwards.

Tuesday’s game presents an opportunity to stop the slide as Roma look to collect points in the coming fixtures against Sassuolo, Torino, and other key rivals. Lecce’s record against Roma is poor—they have won only twice in 38 Serie A encounters, losing 26 times—but recent performances suggest they could finally challenge their visitors.

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Squad concerns are significant for both sides: Lecce must cope without suspended Gianluca Mancini and Mario Hermoso, while Roma will miss Morocco midfielder Neil El Aynaoui and Ivorian centre-back Evan Ndicka, both at the Africa Cup of Nations. Lorenzo Pellegrini is out with a hamstring injury, and Tommaso Baldanzi and Leon Bailey remain doubts.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 19

Tuesday

17.00: (5.25) Pisa (3.60) Como (1.78)

20.00: (5.10) Lecce (3.60) Roma (1.80)

22.45: (5.00) Sassuolo (3.70) Juventus (1.80)

Wednesday

20.30: (2.80) Bologna (3.25) Atalanta (2.60)

20.30: (1.35) Napoli (4.60) Verona (10.5)

22.45: (2.45) Lazio (3.30) Fiorentina (3.20)

22.45: (9.00) Parma (5.00) Inter (1.40)

22.45: (2.40) Torino (3.25) Udinese (3.30)

Thursday

20.30: (2.45) Cremonese (3.15) Cagliari (3.05)

22.45: (1.43) Milan (4.30) Genoa (8.00)

***odds are subject to change***