Ace Football previews the Champions League match between Juventus and FC Barcelona, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Two of Europe’s heavyweights in Juventus and Barcelona meet in Group G for a mouth-watering clash that’s likely to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Originally billed as another Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi saga, fans will have to settle for Juve vs Barca instead. The Portuguese star is out following another positive COVID-19 test. But fear not, there is still plenty on offer in Turin.
We may have to wait until December now until the legendary rivalry is reignited once more, but an entertaining spectacle is expected all the same. Both teams have a point to prove in this clash and several stars, namely Messi, will be determined to step up in the spotlight.
Juventus Form & Stats
The two-time European champions hope to mark their 200th Champions League appearance with victory over Barcelona. Doing so will make them the first Italian side to reach 100 victories in the competition.
Andrea Pirlo, who was part of the side that lost the 2015 final to the Blaugrana, will hope history doesn’t repeat itself in Turin. The Italian has experienced an inconsistent start in the Juve dugout. Only two wins have come in his opening five league games to leave the club fifth in the Serie A standings.
Losing star man Ronaldo, who again tested positive for COVID-19, won’t help matters. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s absence has coincided with a downturn in form, with Juventus winning just one of their last three games.
The loss couldn’t have come at a worst moment for the Bianconeri. While qualification into the knockouts is expected, the top spot in Group G isn’t guaranteed with a rival in Barcelona.
Key Team Stats
- Unbeaten in their six games under Pirlo (W3 D3).
- Won seven of their last eight Champions League games.
- Failed to score in their last three encounters with Barcelona (D2 L1).
- Unbeaten in their six home games against Barcelona in Europe.
- Lost three of their last 10 home games in the Champions League.
FC Barcelona Form & Stats
New coach Ronald Koeman made a decent start by overseeing comfortable victories over Villarreal and Celta Vigo with seven unanswered goals. Problems soon kicked in afterward, however, for the club.
Barcelona have since collected just a single point and lost their last two LaLiga games to Getafe and Real Madrid. These setbacks have left them down in 12th-place in the league standings after five games.
Although Josep Maria Bartomeu’s resignation as president could impact the entire squad in one way or the other. Koeman, for one, needs to bring home the results now to convince the new president to keep him as manager. While some players may feel more assured amid the uncertainty over the club’s future.
The entire Barcelona squad, no doubt, will be determined to hit back following their Clasico defeat to Real Madrid as well.
Key Team Stats
- Winless in their last three league games (D1 L2).
- Never won away to Juventus before in six attempts.
- Lost just one of their last 17 away games in the group stages (W10 D6).
- Lionel Messi has scored a record 69 goals in 73 group stage games.
Team News
Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo, Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro, & Matthijs de Ligt (out).
FC Barcelona: Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti, Philippe Coutinho, & Marc-Andre ter Stegen (out).
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top performers in the Champions League
Head-To-Head Analysis
Match Facts
Betting Tips
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