Juventus' points deduction sees their lead over their tonight's rivals with only a slim margin of 1 point going into the match. Their recent results, however, suggests that they are still in pole position to finish 'best of the rest' behind the league's distant top six and still target some cup success. Juventus have won five of their last six games against their city rivals and will be expected to extend that run tonight, especially with the support of enthusiastic fanatics in the stands. Max Allegri's men won 3-0 last Thursday to advance to the UEFA Europa League round of 16 elimination stage. 

Angel Di Maria is back in top form ever since returning from world cup glory and he demonstrated his mastery when he netted a hat-trick of goals and a treble of assists in their Champions League fixture versus Maccabi Haifa earlier this season. Juve are also through to the Coppa Italia semi-finals in addition to staring at getting a chance to lift silverware if they can go all the way in the Europa League competition. in the league, however, they occupy an unfamiliar mid-table territory having been docked 15 points due to financial indiscretions. Across the European top five leagues, only Barcelona (16) have achieved more wins without conceding than Juventus (14). Juve have additionally maintained a clean sheet in their win in 11 of their last 14 league matches. Also, they are unbeaten in the Turin derby in their last 17 meetings 13 of which they have been victorious. 

Torino's last league win against Juventus came back in 1995 which clearly shows their “submissiveness” in the Derby della Mole. Their recent reverse fixture in October at home ground ended in a 1-0 defeat thanks to  Dusan Vlahovic's second-half goal. However, Torino have earned themselves two draws in their last four meetings with Juventus ever since the latter fell from their perch at the top of Calcio's pecking order and the former have in recent seasons established themselves as top-half contenders. 

Torino were recently held to a 2-2 stalemate by rock-bottom Cremonese last time out after failing to protect their lead and were only bailed out by Wilfried Singo's 79th-minute strike. They will rarely have such a chance tonight to come from behind again tonight and so the stakes are particularly high when they take the short trip to the Allianz Stadium. It might seem as though it will be a straight win for Juventus but local derbies are full of surprises, especially in recent years.

(Image: Juventus.com)