Verdict: Draw
Greatest odds: 12/5
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Two groups struggling to fulfill expectations will convene in Turin on Wednesday night, when Juventus host an ailing Manchester Metropolis within the Champions League.
Virtually aspect by aspect within the league-phase standings, Juve have frequently failed to show one level into three this season, whereas Metropolis are enduring a disaster of confidence.
Juventus
Since dropping their first-ever encounter with Manchester Metropolis in 1976, Juventus have remained unbeaten in opposition to the English aspect, recording three wins and two attracts. Nevertheless, like Metropolis, Juve additionally discover themselves in an unstable place on this season’s Champions League standings, having adopted two opening victories with simply two factors from their subsequent three matches.
After struggling their solely defeat of the 2024/25 season in opposition to Stuttgart, Thiago Motta’s group drew with Lille and Aston Villa final month. One other draw final weekend—Juve’s nineteenth league stalemate this yr—additional dented their Serie A title hopes, leaving them seven factors off the highest.
The 2-time European champions narrowly prevented a primary residence league loss on Saturday, getting back from two objectives down in opposition to Bologna. Teun Koopmeiners pulled one again, and substitute Samuel Mbangula equalized within the 92nd minute.
That end result prolonged Juventus’ run of 4 consecutive attracts throughout all competitions, with seven of their final 9 matches. Nonetheless, they continue to be defensively stable, boasting one of the best document in Serie A, with solely 10 objectives conceded and 10 clear sheets in 15 video games.
Crew Information
Juventus’ damage issues have eased barely, with star striker Dusan Vlahovic returning on Saturday after three weeks out with a thigh challenge, and Nicolo Savona additionally making his comeback.
Savona is predicted to compete with former Manchester Metropolis defender Danilo for a spot at full-back, whereas Thiago Motta is more likely to retain Pierre Kalulu and Federico Gatti as his central defensive pairing.
Nevertheless, Juve stay with out Nico Gonzalez, Weston McKennie, and one other ex-Metropolis participant, Douglas Luiz. They’re joined on the sidelines by long-term ACL absentees Juan Cabal and Bremer, whereas Andrea Cambiaso’s availability is unsure attributable to an ankle sprain.
Manchester Metropolis
Manchester Metropolis’s latest struggles continued with a dramatic 3-3 draw in opposition to Feyenoord of their final Champions League outing, the place they squandered a three-goal lead within the last 20 minutes at residence. Coupled with a 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP in Lisbon, Metropolis are within the midst of their worst kind beneath Pep Guardiola.
Conceding seven objectives of their final two European video games after maintaining clear sheets of their first three has left Metropolis with simply eight factors, presently solely sufficient for a play-off spot. Winners in 2023, they’ve reached the knockout levels for 11 straight seasons, topping their group within the final seven, however now Guardiola should give attention to avoiding an early exit from the competitors.
Domestically, Metropolis’s woes continued with a 2-2 draw in opposition to Crystal Palace, the place Rico Lewis equalized earlier than being despatched off. This end result means Metropolis have received simply as soon as of their final 9 matches throughout all competitions and threat setting an undesirable membership document.
Additionally they carry a five-match winless streak in opposition to Juventus in UEFA competitions – their joint-longest in opposition to any opponent – although this will probably be their first encounter with the Bianconeri throughout Guardiola’s tenure.
Crew Information
Manchester Metropolis’s damage checklist stays intensive, although Pep Guardiola could have Phil Foden again midweek after the England worldwide missed the Crystal Palace draw attributable to bronchitis.
Defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji picked up accidents in final week’s victory over Nottingham Forest, becoming a member of John Stones and Mateo Kovacic on the sidelines. Rodri and Oscar Bobb are additionally long-term absentees.
Suspended domestically however eligible for Champions League motion, Rico Lewis has been a standout performer, creating 13 probabilities whereas taking part in each minute of the marketing campaign – making him the youngest to take action this season.
Matheus Nunes, rising as a key determine, has registered three assists in his final three Champions League outings, main the group in that class. Guardiola could depend on the Portuguese midfielder as soon as once more.
Conclusion
Whereas Juventus excel at maintaining clear sheets, they continue to be a group in transition beneath Thiago Motta, making Manchester Metropolis more likely to safe not less than some extent.
Metropolis’s latest struggles have raised issues, however Juventus’ residence kind within the Champions League has been inconsistent, with 4 losses of their final six video games—matching their whole defeats within the prior 40.
Verdict: Draw
Greatest odds: 12/5
Bookmaker: ZetBet