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As it happenedended

Cristiano Ronaldo sends Juventus nine points clear at the top of Serie A

Relive all the action from the Serie A fixture at the Allianz Stadium

Kishan Vaghela
Saturday 24 November 2018 13:04 EST
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Juve will be looking for another win in Serie A
Juve will be looking for another win in Serie A (AP)

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Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opening goal and helped set up the second as Juventus extended their unbeaten start in Serie A with a 2-0 win over promoted SPAL on Saturday.

Ronaldo's latest goal was his ninth in Serie A, matching Genoa's Krzysztof Piatek in the race for the golden boot.

The goal came near the half-hour mark when Ronaldo beat everyone to redirect in a free kick from Miralem Pjanic.

In the 60th, Ronaldo's pull back on the counterattack set up a shot for Douglas Costa, whose effort was swatted into the path of Mario Mandzukic who scored from the rebound.

Juventus moved nine points ahead of second-place Napoli, who host Chievo Verona on Sunday.

AP

What time does it start?

Juventus vs SPAL kicks off at 5pm (BST)

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 2 from 4:50pm.

Fans can also watch the match on Eleven Sports through iOS mobile and tablet apps as well as on Android mobiles.

Highlights will be shown at 3:30am on Eleven Sports 2.

Player to watch…

Cristiano Ronaldo: The 33-year-old has not played for Portugal since they were knocked out at the last 16 stage of the World Cup by Uruguay, but he has been a regular figure in the Juventus side this season. From 12 appearances, the former Real Madrid man has scored eight goals and registered five assists, including a first goal at the San Siro in the 2-0 win over AC Milan last time out. With tough fixtures against Inter Milan and Roma coming up, the Old Lady will require Ronaldo to keep his goalscoring form up against SPAL.

Form guide…

Juventus: DWWWLW

SPAL: LLWLLD

Odds…

Juventus to win: 1/8

SPAL to win: 19/1

Draw: 13/2

(Odds provided by 888 Sport)

Prediction...

Juventus 3-0 SPAL: Home win without too much fuss, you'd think.

The line ups are out for evening kick-off in Spain, and what a fixture for it.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 18:46

87 min: Juventus 2-0 SPAL

A worrying sign for Juventus as Alex Sandro pulls up with a hamstring problem.

He manages to trot off though as he is replaced by Giorgio Chiellini and looks fairly unconcerned by what he felt. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 18:48

90 min: Juventus 2-0 SPAL

Three minutes added on at the end in Turin.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 18:51

Full time: Juventus 2-0 SPAL

Juventus go nine points clear at the top of Serie A with that win. It's nine goals in the league for Cristiano Ronaldo as well after he opened the scoring midway through the first half.

Mario Mandzukic added a second on the hour mark after good work from the impressive Ronaldo and equally superb Douglas Costa.

The Old Lady face Valencia in the Champions League in midweek to finish off the month, but they have ensured a 100% record in the league for November.

SPAL remain tangled up in that relegation scrap but will take some heart from the fact they made Max Allegri's side work for the win.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 18:53

  ↵A reminder of those Atletico Madrid and Barcelona line-ups for you with 45 minutes till kick-off.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 19:00

It isn't a title decider at the Wanda today, but it will determine who sits top of the table come 10pm tonight.

The hosts will need a victory if they wish to leapfrog the Catalans, but history is not on Atleti's side with coach Diego Simeone yet to beat Barcelona in the league during his seven-year reign in the capital.

Barcelona meanwhile will be looking to put their shock 4-3 defeat to Real Betis before the international break behind them, but they cannot afford any slip ups with both Atleti and Sevilla breathing down their necks. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 19:29

  ↵Invaluable.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 19:32

So out come the teams. A stunning atmosphere at the Wanda an equally vibrant mosaic stretching around the stadium.

Five minutes till kick-off. 

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 19:41

This really is football at its best.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 19:43

1 min: Atletico Madrid 0-0 Barcelona

Here we go then! Luis Suarez gets us underway in the Spanish capital for this top-of-the-table clash.

Kishan Vaghela24 November 2018 19:48

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