Alvaro Morata came off the bench to hit a superb curling strike that earned a 1-0 win at Palermo as Juventus continued their march towards a likely fourth consecutive Serie A title on Saturday.

With closest challengers Roma not in action until Monday when they host Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico, the Turin giants had the chance to open up a 14-point gap on the Giallorossi at the top of the Italian championship.

However Massimiliano Allegri's men had to battle throughout as Palermo fought to defend their formidable home record before Morata secured the points thanks to a fine piece of individual skill in the 70th minute.

Allegri was quick to praise the talented 22-year-old but admitted Palermo had pushed his side all the way.

"It wasn't an easy game tonight, we didn't give anything away. Alvaro scored a marvellous goal," the Juve handler told Sky Sport.

Morata, who has recently pushed his way past Llorente into Allegri's starting line-up plans, said: "It was a decent performance from us given how hard it is to play here. They concede very few goals at home and defend extremely well."

The Sicilians had suffered only one defeat at the Renzo Barbera stadium this season -- a 4-0 rout to Lazio in September -- and seemed intent on frustrating the champions throughout a physical encounter of few real chances

Despite French star Paul Pogba sitting out through suspension, Allegri rested Chilean Arturo Vidal as he reverted to a 3-5-2 -- a decision that could leave Borussia Dortmund guessing ahead of the sides' decisive Champions League last 16 second leg tie in Germany on Wednesday.

Juventus take a 2-1 lead to Germany but Allegri is optimistic the Italians can qualify for the quarter-finals.

He added: "It will be a totally different game. We have a good chance of qualifying and we'll be going there in confidence."

Allegri handed Andrea Barzagli his first start since a lengthy injury lay-off, the central defender having made a late cameo appearance against Sassuolo last week.

But Allegri upset predictions by starting with both Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente up front, suggesting the latter could be sacrificed from his starting line-up for Wednesday's clash at the BVB Stadion.

Tevez was quickly off the mark, testing Stefano Sorrentino in the Palermo net with a long-range swerving strike but the Argentinian's effort was one of the rare real chances on goal in a busy but frustrating opening half.

Vidal replaced Stefano Sturaro for the start of the second half but Roberto Pereyra had been the driving force in Juve's five-man midfield and minutes after the restart won a free kick just outside the area after taking a stray hand in the face.

Tevez stepped up and curled his effort around the wall but an alert Sorrentino fisted the ball to safety.

Llorente made way for Morata on the hour mark and Juventus came close to opening their account moments later only for Pereyra's shot to be charged down after Vidal's short lay-off following a counter-attack.

Another counter saw Marchisio find Morata with a chipped pass and the Spaniard turned on the style, dribbling around Sinisa Andelkovic before placing a curling strike past the outstretched Sorrentino and into the 'keeper's far bottom corner.

Juve's 19th win of the campaign leaves them top of 64 points, 14 ahead of Roma who host Sampdoria looking to end a poor run which has seen them draw eighth times in nine successive games.

Lazio and Napoli, third and fourth respectively, are waiting to pounce on any further slip-ups by Rudi Garcia's men as the race to claim the league's second automatic Champions League qualifying spot heats up.

Napoli are away at Verona on Sunday while Lazio travel to Torino.