Juventus v PSG – Preview, Predictions, And Best Bets

Juventus host PSG at the Allianz Stadium on The Old Lady have lost four of their five group matches but need to match Maccabi Haifa’s result against Benfica in the other Group H fixture to secure a place in the Europa League. PSG travel to Turin also needs to achieve the same, or a better result than Benfica to take a spot in the group.

Juventus Form

Juve have had a tough season so far in both the league and in Europe. Their opening nine Serie A fixtures brought just three victories. Their Champions League campaign has been an epic disappointment with four losses and just one win in five matches. A 2-1 loss at PSG preceded a 2-1 home defeat to Benfica.

They then beat Maccabi Haifa 3-1 at home but were 2-0 in Israel on matchday four. Their last match brought a 4-3 loss in Lisbon to Sporting as they trailed 4-1 after 50 minutes. Things have picked up in the league at least: they won 1-0 at Torino and 4-0 against Empoli prior to the defeat in Portugal. Over the weekend, they won 1-0 at Lecce to make it three wins to nil on the bounce in Serie A.

Juventus Team News

Max Allegri has a host of injuries to contend with. Federico Chiesa remains absent and Paul Pogba is not quite ready to return after injury, whilst Danilo is suspended. Weston McKennie has injured his hamstring and Leandro Paredes and Angel Di Maria are also set to miss out, meaning wrath of engine room issues.

Striker Dusan Vlahovic and midfielder Manuel Locatelli are doubts but could be fit to start. Bremer is missing in defence so Daniele Rugani could start at centre-back. It’s not clear what shape the Italian coach will go for, but it could be a narrow 4-4-2 in all likelihood.

Juventus Motivation

The Old Lady have a big week. They host Inter Milan over the weekend but have to get a result here or face the risk of ending fourth in the group – meaning not dropping down into the Europa League.

Allegri’s side needs to match the result against Maccabi Haifa, who hosts Benfica. Should Juve be beaten by PSG, then a point for Maccabi Haifa would see Juve finish bottom of the section. A defensive approach and trying to grab a point against PSG seems the likely approach.

PSG Form

PSG have not lost a match since March, a 3-0 defeat at Monaco soon after being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid. In Ligue 1, they’ve dropped just four points in 13 matches (11 wins, two draws) and look imperious.

In this competition, they won 2-1 at home to Juventus and then 3-1 at Maccabi Haifa. Matchdays three and four saw them draw 1-1 on two occasions with Benfica. They crushed the Israeli side 7-2 at home. Over the weekend, it was a battle but they took three points in a 4-3 home victory over Troyes.

PSG Team News

Coach Christophe Galtier is without Neymar due to suspension. Pablo Sarabia is perhaps the most likely play to come into the side but PSG could also switch formation. Achraf Hakimi’s return from a full weekend’s rest could prompt a move to a 3-5-2 shape with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe as the front two. Hugo Ekitiké is another option in attack but the young forward has not been trusted much.

Danilo Pereira has missed the last couple of matches with a hamstring problem in defence. Marquinhos will return to the XI after playing just 31 minutes against Troyes.

PSG Motivation

Paris have not topped the group yet so there is plenty to play for in this fixture. They need to match the result that Benfica gets. The Portuguese giants have what it takes to win away at Maccabi Haifa which would mean that PSG needs to win in Italy.

The fact that Hakimi and Marquinhos were rested over the weekend shows how seriously they are taking this fixture. PSG are expected to attack a Juve side that has looked low on confidence and quality in Europe this season.

Key Stats

Juventus have lost 4 of their 5 CL matches this season

Juve have lost 2 of their last 3 home CL matches

Juve have lost 1 of their last 8 home matches (all comps)

PSG have W15 and D4 of their 19 matches this season (28 unbeaten)

PSG have won 1 of their last 7 away CL matches (L3, D3)

PSG are 11 away CL matches without a clean sheet (18 conceded)

Verdict

This match has a fair amount riding on it. PSG are not particularly good travellers in Europe and tends to leak goals but Juventus are struggling. A large number of injuries for the home team could prove a big factor too.