Torino to match their illustrious rivals

The Turin derby takes place on Friday as Champions Juventus host city rivals Torino. Could Il Toro grab a big win in their quest for Europe? It’s going to be tough.

No love lost

Although Juventus have some big rivalries with a number of clubs in Italy, Inter and Roma come to mind, there is the small matter of the Turin derby where local bragging rights are at stake.

It is here that Torino fans like to taste victory the most as they look to get one over on their richer, more successful neighbours.

Beating Juve is always a tall order

They have not fared well in these derby games over the last 10 years or so, winning just one of the sixteen games they have played with their only victory of recent memory coming back in 2015.

Could things be different this time? Perhaps, as Juve have already won the title and have very little to play for.

Walter Mazzarri’s side, however, will be hoping to continue their push for Europe, buoyed by their fine win over Milan. It has been an amazing second half to the season for the Granata with results improving drastically since the end of January but beating Juve is always a tall order.

Key players need to turn up for Walter Mazzarri

Every side have their key players and Torino are no different but they do have a good distribution of the talent in different areas of the pitch.

At the back the impressive Armando Izzo has been a commanding presence and it will come as no surprise that he leads in defensive challenges won, winning 70% of all those he contests.

In the centre of the park Venezuelan midfielder Tomas Rincon has again been excellent for the club. He has won more tackles (80) than any other player in the team and ensures that the energy levels needed to win the ball back quickly are always there for Mazzarri

Perhaps the best two players, especially from an attacking sense, are Andrea Belotti and Iago Falque.

They are the most creative pair creating 28 and 18 chances respectively with the Spaniard netting four goals and four assists while the Italian international is Torino’s top scorer with 13.

If Mazzarri can get a tune out of his key men then Torino have a chance.

Can Ronaldo be contained?

Cristiano Ronaldo has had an excellent first season in Serie A making a big contribution to the Juve title.

He has scored 20 goals and made eight assists for the champions and has also completed 70 successful dribbles. If Torino are to have any chances of getting a win then keeping the Portuguese star under wraps is vital.

Juventus - Torino betting tip

Given Torino’s greater need they will likely be more motivated than their city rivals but you can’t doubt the quality Juve have at their disposal so backing this game to end in a draw at odds of 11/4 seems pretty good value.

Bet Game to end in a draw on Bet365