Serie A / Dan Fitch / 07 March 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Juventus may have a midweek must-win Champions League match but try telling their fans that they should rest key players for the local derby against Torino. Expect blood and thunder but not many goals, says Dan Fitch. Best bet: under 2.5 goals @ [1.71].

Juventus may have cut Inter Milan's lead at the top of Serie A last weekend to 7 points, but this week the race to find the top team in Italy takes a back seat.

On Saturday night, local rather than national rivalries take precedence, as Torino host Juventus in what the locals refer to as the Derby della Mole. All the bitter inter-city rivalry can be seen via Betfair Live Video.

Juventus are being kept extremely busy at the moment. Having beaten Napoli 1-0 last weekend, Juve were in action again in midweek, losing 2-1 to Lazio in the Copa Italia. With the Turin derby on Saturday and the second leg of the Champions League clash with Chelsea on Tuesday, the depth of Juventus' squad is being tested.

In contrast, Torino come into the game fresh, having not played since the 0-0 draw with Cagliari last weekend. This stretched their unbeaten run in Serie A to 7 games, though 6 of these have been drawn.

This run has included draws against all the bottom 3 sides in Serie A, but also impressive away points against Inter and Lazio. Torino are currently in sixteenth position in Serie A and are just a single point clear of the relegation places.

Juventus are now unbeaten in their last 4 Serie A games and must continue this form going into the April showdown with Inter Milan, if they are to have any chance of walking away with the title.

Both sides have plenty of motivation, but it is Juve who have had the best of their recent encounters. They are unbeaten in their last 11 games against Torino, who last won the derby in 1995.

Juventus welcome back Buffon and Del Piero after they were rested in midweek. Camoranesi is out with a rib injury, while Legrottaglie is suspended. Torino have Diana injured and Zanetti injured.

The last 4 games between the sides have all failed to break the 2.5 goal barrier and Torino haven't even scored in a derby match since 2002. Under 2.5 goals can be backed at [1.7], with overs at [2.4].

When the anytime goalscorer market opens on Betfair closer to kick off, expect Del Piero to be around [2.4], with Trezeguet [2.8]. For Torino, Bianchi should be at [3.8].

Torino are [3.8], with the draw [3.25] and Juventus [2.32]. I expect a draw, with 1-1 available at [7.2] and 0-0 [10]. In the half time/full time market, draw/draw is [4.8], with Torino/Draw at [18.0].

When the clean sheet markets gain more liquidity, expect Juve to be around [2.5] to not concede and Torino [3.0].