Juventus v Chelsea – Preview, Predictions And Best Bets

Juventus host Chelsea at the Allianz Stadium in Torino on Wednesday evening in the UEFA Champions League. These sides are favorites to progress from the group and their direct match-ups could be a good indicator of who will finish top. The sides last met in 2012 as Chelsea lost 3-0 whilst defending their Champions League crown.

UEFA Champions League Matchday 2 Predictions & Betting Toolbox

Juventus Form

Juve has had a poor start to this season. They went winless in their first four Serie A matches including a 1-0 home loss to Empoli and a 2-1 defeat in Napoli. The side got a confidence-boosting 3-0 win at Malmo in their first Champions League match having led 3-0 at halftime. A steady 1-1 home draw with AC Milan followed.

The Old Lady have looked a little more like themselves in the last two matches. They won 3-2 at Spezia having trailed 2-1. Another 3-2 win followed at home to Sampdoria in a match where the xG read 2.63 to 0.60.

Juventus Team News

After an injury, winger Federico Chiesa has returned for the last three matches and he will start this one. Both Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata had to be taken off injured over the weekend and will miss this match. Moise Kean will therefore lead the line with Dejan Kulusevski in support.

Danilo is pushing for a recall at right-back, which could see Juan Cuadrado shift forward onto the right of midfield. Adrien Rabiot is doubtful and reduces options for coach Max Allegri.

Juventus Motivation

Juve made a good start to the group and will expect to qualify. They will play to win this match. A draw would not be a bad result either and will allow Allegri’s team to remain level-top of the group and not potentially level with Malmo or Zenit if they were to lose.

Allegri’s side has had their woes defensively of late and could be a little more defensive in this one.

Chelsea Form

Chelsea has started the season well, which made their poor 1-0 defeat to Man City such a surprise. They mustered just 0.2 xG in a toothless, tired-looking display. It has still been an impressive start having won at Arsenal and Spurs and drawn with ten men at Liverpool.

The Blues began their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win against Zenit as Romelu Lukaku got a late winner. They had real problems breaking down the Russian team’s back five. Defensively, the side has conceded just twice in six league matches and also kept a shutout against Zenit, with just a single goal conceded in the Carabao Cup against Aston Villa.

Chelsea Team News

Thomas Tuchel will probably revert to a 3-4-3 system after the 3-5-2 shape looked a bit short of creativity and threat against City. Mason Mount is doubtful with a knock but will certainly start if fit.

N’Golo Kante had been ill before the City match and both Jorginho and Thiago Silva were carrying injuries too. It is not clear how many of them will start this match but all may be able to feature in the XI. Reece James looks set to be ruled out so Cesar Azpilicueta will shift forward to right wingback. Hai Havertz is set for a recall in the front three and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is pushing for more involvement after two good outings last week.

Chelsea Motivation

Chelsea will feel like they can win this match. Juventus look there for the taking considering their current form defensively and their injuries in the attack.

Motivation will be high as the Blues look for a fast response after losing to City. It won’t be a very attacking outlook but the side is well capable of controlling possession or defending in numbers in these tough away European matches, as shown last season.

Key Stats

Juventus have lost 5 of their last 18 Serie A matches

Juve are 10 home Serie A matches without a clean sheet (14 conceded)

Juventus have won 7 of their last 8 home CL matches

Chelsea have seen under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 7 matches

Chelsea have kept 6 clean sheets in their last 8 CL matches

The Blues have won 6 of their last 7 away CL matches (D1)

Verdict

This should be a good match. Chelsea is in better and more convincing form whilst Juventus have some injuries. A low-scoring match is likely and the Blues look a good bet to win on the road.