In recent weeks, Juventus’ trophy chase in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League (UCL) has stalled, with a 2-2 draw against Bologna at the weekend a fourth successive stalemate. That leaves the Bianconeri well off the pace for the Scudetto, and now they’ll need to get their act together on the European stage if they have aspirations of finishing in the top-eight of the league phase following a three-match winless run (D2, L1).
In the UCL, their last home fixture ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Stuttgart and the task at hand will be simple for the hosts here, namely avoid losing successive home UCL matches for just the second time this century. A glance at their prior H2H form against Manchester City could add a little confidence at least, as Juve are unbeaten across the last five H2Hs (W3, D2).
That won’t come as good news for the visitors, whose struggles continued on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. That extended Manchester City’s remarkably miserable run to just one win across their last nine competitive matches (D2, L6), a streak which included a 3-3 home draw in the UCL against Feyenoord despite the fact they led by three goals as late as the 75th minute.
That made it seven goals conceded across their last two UCL games for City, something Pep Guardiola will be desperately hoping improves here. He’s never seen any of his sides concede 2+ goals in three consecutive UCL matches throughout his illustrious career, as he plots a winning return for City on the road for the first time since late October (D1, L5).
Players to watch: Timothy Weah has struck four goals for Juventus this campaign, with his three on home soil all coming before the 50th minute. Matheus Nunes has played a big role for Manchester City of late, and in the UCL he’s registered three assists in as many appearances since matchday three.
Hot stat: Manchester City have won the most corners (47) and attempted the most shots (111) in the UCL this season.
