Friday, March 29, 2024

Prediction: Barcelona vs Juventus

Verdict: Juventus double chance

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Unibet

Signing off Group G with a heavyweight showdown in midweek, Barcelona will welcome Italian giants Juventus to the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, coming under more scrutiny over the weekend and only continuing on what has been a La Liga nightmare for Barcelona, the former Spanish champions were hit with a stunning 2-1 defeat away at top-flight returners Cadiz. With many starting to question Ronald Koeman’s arrival in the Nou Camp dugout, the former Dutch boss finds his side sat all the way down in ninth in the La Liga table. An aging squad that is in the midst of their most testing spell in recent memory, Barcelona will undoubtedly be glad to make a return to European duties in midweek. While they might be drastically struggling to find their feet domestically, Tuesday’s hosts have stormed their way to the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League in rampant fashion. Last seen out in this year’s tournament picking up a 3-0 romp away at Ferencvaros last week, Koeman’s side have won each of their five Group G contests this season by an aggregate score of 16-2.

Team News

Barcelona confirmed over the weekend that Ousmane Dembele has suffered another hamstring injury and faces an extended stay on the sidelines.

The Frenchman joins Ansu Fati, Gerard Pique and Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti on Barcelona’s growing injury list.

Juventus

As for the visitors, managing to mount what was a dramatic late comeback at home against Torino over the weekend, Juventus eventually left Turin with a 2-1 win to show for their efforts. While the Old Lady might have initially struggled with their consistency after bringing in former icon Andrea Pirlo and currently find themselves sat down in fourth in the Seria A table, the Italian heavyweights are enjoying an eye-catching run of form. Managing to bounce back from their shock 1-1 draw against top-flight returners Benevento when drawing a close to November, Juventus do find themselves enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run across all formats, winning six of those appearances. Also managing to book their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League with time to spare, Tuesday’s guests will simply be looking to right their wrong against Barca. When Pirlo’s side welcomed their Group G rivals to the Allianz back in October, they were hit with a 2-0 defeat.

Team News

Juventus have been boosted by the news that Alvaro Morata is available to feature at the Nou Camp after serving a suspension.

However, the Old Lady will be without the trio of Merih Demiral, Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluigi Buffon on Tuesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

    • When the two sides faced off in Turin back in October, Barcelona picked up a 2-0 win.
    • Despite their glaring domestic issues, Barcelona have managed to win each of their five Group G appearances.
    • Juventus are enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run across all formats, winning six of those matchups.
    • Each of Barca’s last five home fixtures across all competitions have finished with over 2.5 goals.
    • Likewise, each of Juventus’ last four matchups outside of Turin have seen both teams find the net.

    Conclusion

    While Barcelona might have enjoyed a rampant run in Group G this year, a run highlighted by a 2-0 win in Turin back in October, the Spanish giants are showing a host of issues. Hit with a stunning 2-1 defeat away at Cadiz over the weekend, Juventus should be smelling a real chance to right their wrong at the Nou Camp. Managing to mount an eye-catching turnaround at home against Torino on Saturday evening, Tuesday’s guests are enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run across all formats, winning six of those matchups. Looking to cash in on what is a Barcelona side riddled with injury concerns, don’t be surprised to see Juventus leave with something to show for themselves in midweek.

    Verdict: Juventus double chance

    Best Odds: 2/3

    Bookmaker: Unibet

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Tom Dunstan


    Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
    Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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