Juventus will make the long trip to Israel this Tuesday to face Maccabi Haifa in the fourth group game of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League season.
Venue: Sammy Ofer Stadium (Haifa
Key Statistics
Maccabi Haifa have won only one of their six meetings against Italian opposition (D1, L4).
They have lost just two of their last 18 European home games (W11, D5).
The hosts have lost four of their last five games (W1).
Juventus have qualified for the round of 16 in their last eight UCL seasons.
The Old Lady have failed to win any competitive away game since April of last season (D2, L5).
They have lost their last three away games.
Juventus’ Dušan Vlahović had registered five goal contributions across his last four matches for club and country (G3, A2).
Head to head
Juventus have won each of the last three meetings between both sides.
Latest performances in all competitions
Maccabi Haifa: L-LW-L-L
Juventus: L-W-W-L-L
Maccabi Haifa
No one really expected Maccabi Haifa to get something tangible in their UCL group which consists of European heavyweights Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
And after three games, the hosts are where many expected them to be–at the bottom of Group H with zero points having lost their opening three games.
However, they have enjoyed some memorable outings, with a 3-1 loss to PSG here at home the pick of the bunch. Despite ultimately losing the game, the hosts stunned the French champions when midfielder Tjarron Chery opened the scoring in the match.
While they may not win this game, given the gap in quality between them and Juve, Barak Bakhar will hope that his side can record another impressive and bold showing in front of their fans who have been used to winning on this ground.
The hosts have five of their last six games in their home stadium and will be desperate to get another win here as a loss will automatically mean that they will finish bottom of this group.
Possible Maccabi Haifa starting line-up
Josh Cohen; Daniel Sundgren, Stan Goldberg, Ofri Arad, Pierre Cornud; Neta Lavi, Ali Mohamed; Omer Atzili, Tjaronn Chery, Din David; Frantzdy Pierrot.
Injured: Mahmoud Jaber
Doubtful: Suf Podgoreanu
Suspended: None
Juventus
Juventus continued their poor run of form in the season last time out as they were beaten 2-0 by AC Milan in Serie A.
After a sluggish start to the season, there was a sense that the Old Lady might have turned a corner after they beat Bologna 3-0 at home last weekend (3-0) before following it up with the 3-1 victory against Maccabi in the UCL.
However, a costly loss away from home to AC Milan last weekend has brought them back down to earth and now Massimiliano Allegri’s men must secure a win in Haifa if they are to keep hopes alive of making it to the round of 16 for a ninth consecutive season.
The Serie A giants start this round of games, four points behind PSG and Benfica who face off against each other in Paris. So that four points deficit can be reduced this week should they win this game.
But given that Juve have failed to win any competitive away game since April of last season (D2, L5), it is hard to envision them getting maximum points from this game. The visitors have lost each of their last three road trips and will be desperate to avoid a fourth in a row as they battle to qualify from this group.
Possible Juventus starting line-up
Wojciech Szczesny; Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci, Bremer, Alex Sandro; Weston McKennie, Adrien Rabiot, Leandro Paredes, Manuel Locatelli; Dusan Vlahovic, Filip Kostic.
Injured: Marley Ake, Paul Pogba, Kaio Jorge, Mattia de Sciglio
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Prediction
Maccabi Haifa 1-1 Juventus
