Remarkably, Juventus-Sampdoria is one of the tightest fixtures in the Serie A calendar. The two sides haven’t beaten each other in the last two years. Unfortunately for both sets of fans, two of the three games in that time ended in mind numbing 0-0 draws.

Luckily, Juventus have something to play for this season, so rub your hands together fans because they won’t want to come away from this one with anything less than a win. The Bianconeri need a victory in order to make up lost ground in the title race. Their rivals, League leaders Inter and third placed Milan, face off in the Derby della Madonnina this weekend and Juventini will be hoping they cancel each other out.

Juventus showed real hunger and desire on Sunday to beat Catania in Sicily despite being down to 10 men from the 12th minute. Vincenzo Iaquinta had given the Bianconeri the lead 60 seconds earlier only to get himself sent off. Takayuki Morimoto equalised and Juventus needed Christian Poulsen to pop up in the 91st minute to steal a vital win.

Alessandro Del Piero is expected to return alongside Amauri this weekend after he was dropped to the bench on Sunday. Juventus are struggling to score of late. Del Piero has only found the net once in Serie A in 2009 while Amauri is yet to get off the mark. Both players were not on international duty in midweek, though, and will have time to work on their partnership.

Meanwhile Samp continue to frustrate the Marassi faithful. The Blucerchiati may well be on a three game unbeaten run – the longest streak they have put together so far this season – but the team just isn’t functioning.

Without Angelo Palombo as a stabilising force in midfield, Samp look disjointed and vulnerable. Cassano also appears to have grown bored. He switched off on Sunday and left Claudio Bellucci with work enough for two as they fought for a 2-2 draw with Siena.

Mid-table mediocrity appears to be Samp’s fate this year, although, if things don’t change a relegation scrap could well be on the cards. They still have the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup to look forward to, though, so the Blucerchiati nation could well be smiling come May.

Keep an eye on: Amauri (Juventus) – The Brazilian striker is going through a bit of a drought at the moment. He hasn’t scored in 2009, but his importance to the Bianconeri hasn’t diminished. Coach Claudio Ranieri said he would like to erect a statue of Amauri in Turin after his selfless performance against Catania at the weekend helped Juventus to a priceless victory.

Last season: Juventus 0-0 Sampdoria

Form guide: Juventus (D W L L W) Sampdoria (L L W D D)

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Grygera, Legrottaglie, Mellberg, Molinaro; Camoranesi, Sissoko, Marchisio, Nedved; Amauri, Del Piero

Sampdoria (probable): Castellazzi; Stankevicius, Gastaldello, Lucchini; Padalino, Ziegler, Sammarco, Franceschini, Pieri; Pazzini, Cassano

Ref: To follow...

Well we certainly need to win this one, another draw against Sampdoria will not be good enough, and we can make up ground or get ahead of one depending on the result in the Milan derby so it is important we win.

They usually come and defend against us and with Cassano and Pazzini up front we have to play an awful lot better in defence, our offside trap of late has been nothing short of diabolical.

I am hoping for a narrow win but I'm not sure what we will get tbh.

Few minutes gone 0-0.

First chance Nedved, but good save Castelazzi.

Good stuff from Juventus, they look up for it. Ale twists and turns but Momo wide on the header.

Sampdoria score, Pazzini. For fucks sake. That was against the run of play but our defence is shite.

So we are going to spend the rest of the game trying to break down two lines of defence with Cassano countering, marvellous.

Just seen the goal again, our offside trap with Legrottaglie and Mellberg continues to be an absolute abherration. We concede a goal or two every game just from average through balls, it is amateurish crap.

Great ball in from Del Piero but Amauri just can't reach the tap in.

Corner misses everyone, Samp don't look too good in defence.

Quarter chance dropped to Amauri, at the keeper.

Camoranesi header over.

There is only one team attacking but we don't look like scoring.

Gastaldello the reject makes the most of a nothing collision, get up you dick.

So close again, Camoranesi to Amauri but slid wide.

We are dominating the midfield, good games from Nedved, Tiago and Camo but no breakthrough. Corner.

Nedved shoots wide.

So close Amauri again, but Castelazzi nicks it off his foot.

No fucking way, Nedved gets through but it hits the post and the rebound rolls past the waiting Amauri, this is just stupid now.

Cassano destroys Legrottaglie and Samp nearly nick a thoroughly underserved second.

Nedved off the fucking post, I am tearing my hair out here.

How the hell are we losing?

HT: Juventus 0-1 Sampdoria.

We should be at least 2 goals ahead but are 1 goal down, this is the unluckiest performance I have seen in a goal time, Sampdoria have had every roll around the area and the goal must have a forcefield.

If we don't win this game then it will be a disaster because we are so much better than Sampdoria.

Nedved and Juve were too much unlucky in the first half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get Trezeguet on at half time FFS, we need an early goal.

We have been so unlucky it is unreal.

10 mins gone in the second, no change.

Giovinco on, causing all kinds of problems.

Da Costa on for Raggi, Raggi smashes the dugout in frustration.

Pazzini just keeps diving whenever Legro nudges him, it is embarassing to watch.

Cassano is really the only threat with his dribbling ability.

Goooooooooooooooooooooool Amauri!!!

Giovinco with a quality cross, Amauri nods it in. That is what we needed, get some crosses in.

Let's take this apart ragazzi, they are there for the taking.

Del Piero fk off the bar!!

More chances.

Incredible, so unlucky.

That freekick hit the bar then the post, crazy.

Gastaldonkey is just kicking Ale all the time now.

Legrottaglie on Cassano.

Juve counter but Amauri crosses to Castelazzi.

Legro with a Beckenbauer run, falls to Amauri but weak volley.

Camoranesi >

Marchionni <

Oh dear.

Pazzini is like a rag doll when he goes near a player, how can he live with himself.

Gastaldello injured, Samp running out of defenders. Pieri on Samp really weakened at the back, Juve need to take this chance.

Del Piero cross blocked, Juve on top as expected.

Cassano is just different class, shame he is such a prat.

Juve have lost some impotus, need to get it going again.

Grygera has been crap recently, well off form.

Cassano off, Ziegler on.

Just under 15 mins left.

Bit scrappy now, doesn't suit us.

Samp with everyone in defence, we need something special.

Molinaro fuck off, useless.

Giovinco great skill but Castelazzi saves the shot.

Legrottaglie the idiot losing possession but Pazzini's shot was blocked.

The Samp goal is leading a charmed life.

Marchionni crosses to where he should be on the pitch lol.