Say what you will about the new UEFA Champions League format, but it has certainly conjured up some fantastic fixtures in its 36-team League Phase, and this one is no different as Juventus take on Manchester City.
Though these two teams have carved out fearsome reputations in recent years, this season has seen them both endure some concerning form, which makes this game even more interesting as they both look to arrest their slumps.
More pertinent to this match is the midtable positions that both teams currently occupy in the League Phase table, with identical records garnering them eight points from five games.
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Juventus vs Manchester City Preview
In any of the last 10 seasons of the Champions League, Juventus vs Manchester City would be a fitting fixture for the latter stages of the competition. But now with its revamped format, fans and players are treated to spectacles such as this much sooner.
However, with both teams in relatively inconsistent form and desperate for points that will ensure a place in the next round of the Champions League, this will take a slightly different complexion than one would usually expect.
In the last five matches, Juventus and City have both won two, drawn two and lost one, showing unfamiliar chinks in their armour compared to previous seasons.
Domestically, Juventus have had a very peculiar season so far, becoming draw specialists under Thiago Motta. They are still yet to lose after 15 games in Serie A, but frustratingly, nine of those have been draws, leaving them in sixth, seven points behind table-toppers Atalanta. This past weekend, Juventus were held at home to a 2-2 draw against Motta’s former side Bologna, making it a fourth straight draw in a row.
Meanwhile, City were looking like their usual, early-season selves, steadily jogging behind pace-setters Liverpool, before their form inexplicably fell off a cliff. From winning five in a row in October, they have since been on a run of just one win in nine – form unheard of under Pep Guardiola. Crystal Palace were the latest to scupper City’s rejuvenation efforts, earning a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park.
Though it is not quite an ‘El Sackico’ between Motta and Guardiola, both men are under some pressure to end a run that has almost put their pre-season targets out of sight.
Juventus vs Manchester City Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Though this is a tight one to call, Juve are priced at 3.76 to win, while City are at 2.06. The draw has odds of 3.47.
Juventus vs Manchester City Betting Tips
Correct Score – 1-1 @ 4.90
We are putting our necks on the line with a correct score prediction tip. Juventus are draw specialists and City are not themselves. Makes sense to us!
First Team to Score – Juventus @ 2.39
In addition to our bold score prediction, we reckon the home side will open the scoring, before City later respond with an equaliser.
Anytime Goalscorer – Dusan Vlahovic @ 3.08
Vlahovic is The Old Lady’s biggest goal threat, though he has only managed three so far this term. A big Champions League game seems the perfect stage to remind people why he was so highly-rated prior to his move to Juve.
Juventus Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio, Savona, Gatti, Kalulu, Danilo, Locatelli, Thuram, Koopmeiners, Conceicao, Yildiz, Vlahovic
Injuries/Doubts: Cambiaso, Cabal, Gonzalez, Bremer, Arthur, Milik
Manchester City Team News
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Ortega, Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis, Gundogan, Silva, Doku, De Bruyne, Grealish, Haaland
Injuries/Doubts: Akanji, Ake, Foden, Stones, Kovacic, Rodri, Bobb
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