UCL Preview: Barcelona Vs. Juventus, Key-stats, Line-ups, Odds, Prediction

Barcelona-Juventus-Ronaldo-Messi

Juventus travel to Spain to take on Barcelona in the last match of the group stages on Tuesday  

Stadium: Camp Nou

Key Statistics

  • Barca have won all five of their opening group games.
  • They are guaranteed to finish top of the group unless Juventus produce a 3+ goal margin win.
  • The home side have scored 4+ goals in four of the last seven competitive games at home.
  • Juventus have only lost to Barcelona in this year’s Champions League.
  • They’re unbeaten away from home this season in all competitions (W3, D4) and have won four of their previous five UCL away games (L1).
  • Messi and Ronaldo have faced up 35 times in total for both clubs and national team with Messi ahead with 16 wins (Ronaldo ten) and 22 goals (19 for Ronaldo).
  • However, they have met five times in total in the UCL with Messi winning two (Ronaldo one) and two draws between them.
  • Ronaldo is yet to score in five European matches against a team featuring Messi.
  • Messi has scored three Champions League goals against Ronaldo’s sides.
  • Ronaldo is yet to score against Barcelona in 450 minutes of UEFA Champions League football.

Barcelona

Barcelona remains the only side with a 100%-win rate so far in the Champions League. The home side will be looking to make it through the group stages with that record intact. However, they must improve from their recent showings in La Liga if they are to take anything from this game. 

Possible Line-Up

Ronald Koeman has a lot of injuries to worry about Ousmane Dembele recently joining Ansu Fati, Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto and Samuel Umtiti in the treatment room. Lionel Messi is expected to start this show-piece after missing the last two UCL matches for Barca.

Ter Stegen, Sergino Dest, Oscar Mingueza, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, Philippe Coutinho, Antonio Griezmann.

Juventus

The Old Lady have qualified for the next round but will be desperate to avoid losing against Barcelona. A comprehensive win here can still see the finish as group toppers.

Possible Line-Up

Wojciech Szczesny, Juan Cuadrado, Matthijsde Ligt, Leonardo Bonucci, Danilo, Dejan Kulusevski, Weston McKennie, Rodrigo Bentancur, Federico Chiesa, Alvaro Morata, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Odds

Barcelona : Draw : Juventus :: 2.05:3.75:3.30

Prediction

Meetings between both teams have predominantly featured goals to only one team. But with qualification sealed for both teams, this tie is poised to be a cracker as both teams will be desperate to show off their attacking prowess. 

Both teams to score

Over 2.5 goals