Prediction: Juventus vs Nantes

Verdict: Juventus win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to get their Europa League adventure off to a flying start, Juventus will welcome French outfit Nantes Turin on Thursday night.

Juventus

Starting with the hosts, while Juventus might have been left stunned last month when signing off January with an infamous 2-0 loss at home against Monza, the Italian giants have come roaring back. Last seen over the weekend picking up some crucial momentum as they claimed a 1-0 win against Fiorentina, the Old Lady have won each of their last three domestic showdowns on the bounce. Extending on their Coppa Italia adventure on February 2nd as they picked up a deserved 1-0 win at home against Lazio, Massimiliano Allegri’s side know just how important this year’s Europa League campaign is. Dealing with a string of public issues behind the scenes and hit with that stunning 15-point deduction last month, Juventus need a real miracle if they’re to punch a top-four finish in Serie A. However, losing just one of their previous six appearances across all competitions, Thursday’s hosts should be confident of claiming an early advantage here.

Team News

Dealing with what has been an injury headache in Turin, Juventus will once again be without the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Arkadiusz Milik and Paul Pogba on Thursday night.

While Serbian international Dusan Vlahovic might have struggled with his consistency this season, the 23-year-old will spearhead Allegri’s charge here.

Nantes

As for the visitors, while Nantes might make the trip out to Turin tipped as a real underdog on Thursday night, the French outfit are enjoying a recent boost. Although Antoine Kombouare’s men might have opened February with a routine 2-0 loss at home against Marseille, the Canaries have found a welcomed boost over recent weeks. Despite finding themselves almost sat in Ligue 1 limbo, the former Toulouse boss has seen his side win each of their previous three consecutive domestic showdowns. Last seen over the weekend picking up some perfect momentum as they claimed a 1-0 victory at home against Lorient, Nantes will be desperate to spring an historic upset on foreign soil. Looking to keep themselves in the tie for when they welcomed Juventus to the Stade de la Beaujoire next week, it should be highlighted that Thursday’s guests have lost just one of their previous 12 straight matchups across all formats.

Team News

Nantes will make the trip to Italy on Thursday night without the duo of Quentin Merlin and 27-year-old Moses Simon.

Once again bagging the winner as Kombouare’s side claimed a 1-0 win against Lorient last weekend, Ludovic Bias will lead Nantes’ attack here. Ex-Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko will be hoping for a full recall.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 1-0 win at home against Fiorentina last weekend, Juventus have won each of their last three domestic contests by an aggregate score of 5-0.
• The Old Lady have suffered just a single defeat on home soil since a 2-1 loss at the hands of PSG back on November 2nd.
• Nantes have lost just one of their previous 12 matchups across all formats – a run that stems back to November 6th.
• Thursday’s guests have also conceded just a single strike in any of their last seven contests away from the Stade de la Beaujoire.
• Each of Juve’s last three matchups on home soil have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Juventus might open Thursday’s showdown in Turin tipped as a standout pick, the Italian icons will know that they could face a rugged test. However, in the midst of a three-match winning run and knowing how important this season’s Europa League campaign could be, Allegri’s side will be desperate to claim a first-leg advantage here. Appearing to have found some much-needed defensive resolve since opening February, the Old Lady should be smelling a chance on Thursday night. Although Nantes might have gained somewhat of a reputation for their rugged displays on either side of the World Cup break, they face a real challenge in midweek. Handed what has been an unenviable draw, we’re backing a home victory for Juve here.

Verdict: Juventus win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet