UEFA Champions League Preview: Juventus vs Manchester City – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

Allianz Stadium forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering UEFA Champions League meeting between Juventus and Manchester City. With stakes at an all-time high for both sides ahead of Wednesday night’s kick-off, a loss for either team would likely mean the end of their hopes of securing automatic knockout qualification.

Juventus pulled off a remarkable fightback in Saturday’s home clash against Bologna, hauling back a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 and maintain their unbeaten league start under Thiago Motta. However, it was their ninth stalemate in 15 Serie A rounds this season (W6).

Therefore, a substantial seven-point deficit on table-topping Atalanta is hardly surprising. In the meantime, the Turin giants’ bid to lock down a coveted top-eight finish in the Champions League is in tatters following an underwhelming three-game winless run (D2, L1).

Despite their form wobbles, Juventus enter this matchday trailing eighth-placed Monaco by only two points. They’re level on points with Manchester City, another downtrodden European powerhouse. Indeed, these may be the most challenging days in Pep Guardiola’s illustrious managerial career.

City set an unwanted Champions League record in the previous round, becoming the first team to squander a three-goal lead beyond the 75th minute in a frustrating 3-3 home draw against Feyenoord. That result added insult to injury following a 4-1 defeat at Sporting CP.

The picture looks equally bleak in the Premier League, where the perennial champions languish eight points behind pacesetters Liverpool after a dismal 2-2 stalemate at bottom-half underachievers Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Match Preview

Juventus

Although Motta’s men have only suffered one defeat this season, their performances across the board leave much to be desired. Indeed, Juventus are on course to become ‘stalemate specialists,’ having shared the spoils in 11 of their 18 outings across all competitions under the former Bologna manager (W6, L1).

Topically, their last four matches have ended all square, casting further doubt on their ability to turn draws into victories. Given the strength of their opposition, a point here wouldn’t be a fiasco by any means, yet it’s questionable whether it’d be sufficient for automatic knockout qualification.

However, Juventus can take heart from their historical record against Manchester City. They’re unbeaten in their last five encounters against the four-time consecutive Premier League champions (W3, D2), suggesting a second successive home defeat in the Champions League proper for just the second time in the 21st century is avoidable.

Manchester City

As for Manchester City, they can draw inspiration from Juventus’ last home showing in the Champions League as Stuttgart deservedly took a 1-0 victory in Turin. That’s music to Guardiola’s ears after his beleaguered side picked up just one triumph across their last nine competitive games (D2, L7).

Guardiola’s top assignment is to stop the bleeding at the back, with the Citizens ominously capitulating seven times across their last two Champions League travels. As a result, the Spaniard could oversee three consecutive away matches at Europe’s top table in which his team had conceded 2+ goals for the first time in his managerial career.

Plugging substantial defensive holes is imperative if the visitors are to get into the win column on the road for the first time since late October. Indeed, they come into this fixture after losing five of their last six competitive outings outside the Etihad Stadium (D1).

Team News

Juventus welcomed standout center-forward Dusan Vlahovic back from injury last weekend. However, Motta is still without Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Nicolas Gonzalez, and Arkadiusz Milik. There’s a question mark over Douglas Luiz’s head, with the Brazilian struggling with recurring fitness issues since joining the club from Aston Villa in the summer.

On the other hand, Manchester City will take this trip significantly weakened by injuries. In addition to long-term absentees, Rodri and Oscar Bobb, Nathan Ake and Mateo Kovacic are unavailable for selection.

Phil Foden isn’t fully fit. The same goes for Manuel Akanji and John Stones, leaving Guardiola short of reliable defensive options.

Juventus vs Manchester City Potential Starting Line-ups

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Perin; Savona, Kalulu, Gatti, Danilo; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, Koopmeiners, Weah; Vlahovic.

Manchester City (4-1-4-1): Ortega; Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis; Gundogan; Savinho, De Bruyne, Silva, Nunes; Haaland.

Juventus vs Manchester City Prediction

Juventus have been far from impressive in their recent home matches in the Champions League. Motta’s men have lost four of their last six European contests at home, leaving the door open for Manchester City’s return to winning ways.

Still, it’s impossible to underestimate Juventus’ resilience under Thiago Motta. Therefore, we expect another evenly contested game, with a draw emerging as the likeliest scenario.

Prediction: Draw

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