Game Time Thread: Juventus vs. Genoa

When you see a top-of-the-table team playing a relegation battler at home, what's your first thought? Something along the lines of "Ehhhhh, piece of cake!" probably, right? Well, nobody can blame you, really, seeing as one team is obviously the far and away favorite over the other no matter what may end up actually happening.

Juventus are playing at home tonight. They're playing a Genoa team that has won all of three times since the middle of November. And the struggles, which include a 2-0 loss to Juventus — and subsequent dancing from Paul Pogba and Juan Cuadrado following the French midfielder's lone goal of the afternoon.

As it turns out, Juventus' fortunes since that meeting at the Marassi back in late-September. Not only have they won a few more games, they've won a whooooole lot more. The winning streak now stands at 12 games, which is just one short of a baker's dozen. And, what do ya know? That shot comes tonight at Juventus Stadium.

With Napoli playing at the same time, there won't be a situation like there was last weekend. Juventus can't get the result and then sit and watch the rest of the day's games. Outside of Frosinone-Bologna, everybody is playing at the same time Wednesday — which could mean a bunch of madness knowing how midweek games could possibly go.

But let's hope the madness eludes the turf at Juventus Stadium, Or, at least, stays away from Genoa's stagnant form. And if both teams stick to their form guide as of late, then Juve will be celebrating just like they have been for the last three-plus months — and that's okay with me (and probably you, too).

.@OfficialAllegri: "We need to win in order to keep up the heat on Napoli. They're having an extraordinary season." #JuveNapoli

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 2, 2016

Oh yeah, one more thing: Come on, Lazio, you know we believe in you — sorta. Do what Empoli failed miserably at doing over the weekend. That sure would be quite swell, guys.

Lineups

Juventus XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres; Cuadrado, Padoin, Marchisio, Pogba, Evra; Morata, Dybala

Juventus bench: Neto, Rubinho, Lichtsteiner, Rugani, Alex Sandro, Lemina, Sturaro, Hernanes, Pereyra, Zaza

Genoa XI (3-4-1-2): Perin; Munoz, De Maio, Izzo; Ansaldi, Rigoni, Dzemaili, Ntcham; Gabriel Silva; Pavoletti, Cerci

How to watch

TV: ESPN UK/HD (United Kingdom); Premium Calcio, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, Sky Calcio 1 (Italy)

Online: Sky Go Italia (Italy)

Other live viewing options can be found here, and as always, you can also follow along with us live on Twitter. If you haven't already, join the community on Black & White & Read All Over, and join in the discussion below.