Verdict: Home win
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Italian champions Juventus head into the Champions League Last 16 stage clash vs Tottenham Hotspur in excellent spirits as they are playing their best football of the season. Spurs have been in pretty good form of late as well, meaning we should witness a great game of football in Turin.
Juventus
This season had a somewhat slow start for Juventus, which is the main reason why the Bianconeri are still looking at the backs of red-hot Napoli in the Serie A standings, but Max Allegri’s side have shown incredible improvement since. Juventus are on the verge of making it to the Coppa Italia final after the 1-0 triumph over Atalanta in the first semi-final leg, whereas they are also in the race for Serie A and Champions League trophies. The high-profile clash against Tottenham Hotspur comes at the right time for the Bianconeri, who have been absolutely outstanding over the last few months.
Juventus recorded impressive 14 wins in last 15 matches on all fronts, and having conceded just one goal in the process, they have proved why they are considered one of Europe’s best defensive sides. The amazing run of results will be put to a serious test against in-form Spurs, with the likes of Kane, Son, Alli, Eriksen and Lamela all capable of creating problems for the opposition defenders, but given their rich vein of form, the Bianconeri have got to be considered favourites to win the first leg.
Team News
Latest reports suggest that talented Rodrigo Bentancur will be preferred to the more experienced Blaise Matuidi, while Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado are out injured.
Tottenham
Even though Tottenham have only just returned to the Premier League top 4, the reality is that Spurs have done a lot better than most top English sides over the past couple of months. Mauricio Pochettino’s side did suffer some unexpected slip ups, but they’ve also shown a great deal of character when facing direct rivals for Champions League positions and we are convinced they will secure another appearance in Europe’s elite competition. Spurs will first attempt to make the most of the current campaign and attempt to upset red-hot Juventus in the Last 16 stage, which will be no easy task.
Nevertheless, Tottenham can draw inspiration from recent impressive performances against England’s top sides that saw them pick up seven points from games vs Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal. Spurs now have the opportunity to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since the 2010/2011 campaign, and much will depend on their ability to penetrate Juventus’ rock-solid defence.
Team News
Toby Alderweireld will not be risked having just returned from a hamstring problem, but new recruit Lucas Moura is available for selection.
Key Factors to Consider
Juventus won 14 of last 15 matches
The Bianconeri conceded just one goal in last 16 fixtures
Juventus won two of last four home games in UCL (D1 L1)
Spurs unbeaten in last five away matches (W2 D3)
Tottenham won two of last three away games in UCL (D1)
Conclusion
As much as Tottenham have improved in recent weeks, it is Juventus who have got a lot more experience when it comes to important UCL fixtures and seeing that they are also in impeccable form, we are tempted to back the Bianconeri to emerge victorious from the first leg.
Verdict: Home win
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