While we could find a litany of reasons that this match is important and interesting and what needs to be done, for the sake of simplicity it can be boiled down to this: with Napoli still breathing down their necks three points back in the table, Juventus need to keep winning every match in order to keep their chances of winning the Serie A title high, and that mission starts with Empoli.
Juventus vs. Empoli 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch Serie A online
Juventus need a win to keep up their lead in the scudetto race.
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Juventus have been on a near-unstoppable run in the league of late, having gone 20 matches without defeat in Serie A as they’ve rocketed back to the top of the table and surpassed even Napoli in the scudetto chase. Coming off four straight league titles, fans appreciate that the bianconeri fought back so well from their rough start to the season -- but a stumble now will cost them a lot of that good will and all of their momentum.
Key player -- Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)
With literally every regular defensive starter either suspended, out injured, or playing at less than 100 percent, Buffon is going to have to be on top of his game. While he did recently set a new record for longest streak without giving up a goal in the league, he’s been a little bit shaky of late -- though Juventus fans will probably be glad that he won’t have to play at the Allianz Arena in Germany any time soon, with how many goals he gave up there last month between Champions League and international action.
Key matchup -- Alvaro Morata (Juventus) vs. Andrea Costa (Empoli)
With Dybala at less than full health, Juventus will be leaning on Morata to help carry their attack and break down Empoli’s defense. Fortunately for the bianconeri, Empoli’s defense is also fairly beat up, with only Costa a lock to play among their usual starters. If Morata can get the upper hand on Costa quickly, this match will be effectively over just as quickly.
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Alex Sandro, Sami Khedira, Leonardo Bonucci, Martin Caceres In doubt: Patrice Evra, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Andrea Barzagli, Paulo Dybala, Claudio Marchisio, Giorgio Chiellini
Empoli injuries and suspensions
Out: Marko Livaja In doubt: Mario Rui, Vincent Laurini, Lorenzo Tonelli, Lukasz Skorupski, Riccardo Saponara, Massimo Maccarone, Uros Cosic
Match Date/Time: Sat., 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
TV: Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia (Italy), BT Sport Europe (U.K.), RAI International
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S. & Canada), Sky Go Italia (Italy)
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