Prediction: Juventus vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea win & Romelu Lukaku to score anytime

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

In what is a European heavyweight showdown on Wednesday night, defending champions Chelsea will make the trip to the Allianz Stadium when they face off against Juventus.

Juventus

Starting with the hosts, opening the 2021/22 Serie A campaign last month in the midst of a real nightmare, there is no doubt that Juventus will be boosted by what has become a much-needed bounce. Making the decision to bring back returning boss Massimiliano Allegri over the summer, the Old Lady still have the feel of a squad in the midst of a transition. Watching the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo make the move back to Manchester United, the now-former Italian champions did manage to pick up some perfect momentum over the weekend. Now securing back-to-back action-packed 3-2 Serie A victories against Spezia and Sampdoria, Juve are enjoying a four-match unbeaten run across all formats. Opening their Champions League adventure a fortnight ago when they made the trip out to Malmö, Allegri’s side have gained a recent reputation for their performances in the final third. Including bagging a 3-0 win out in Sweden, it should be noted that Wednesday’s hosts have scored a trio of goals in three of their last four outings.

Team News

In what is a real blow for Juventus, the Old Lady are likely to be without both Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata who limped off against Sampdoria over the weekend.

After replacing Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks on Sunday, keeper Mattia Perin could retain his spot in Massimiliano Allegri’s starting XI.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, while Chelsea might have thought they had the chance to lay down a real marker over the weekend, Thomas Tuchel’s side will instead be seeking a boost on Wednesday. Largely outplayed at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime as they suffered a deserved 1-0 loss at home against defending Premier League champions Manchester City, the former PSG boss was left far from pleased by his side’s display in west London. Watching their unbeaten start to the 2021/22 campaign come to an abrupt end, the Blues will be desperate to prove that Saturday’s performance was just a minor blip. Failing to muster a single shot on target against Pep Guardiola’s side over the weekend, Chelsea have still gained a string of plaudits since appointing Tuchel earlier in the year. Lifting their second Champions League crown back in May as they landed a famous 1-0 win out in Portugal, the Blues also managed to open their European run a fortnight ago with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Zenit on home soil.

Team News

Suffering a twisted ankle against Manchester City on Saturday, full-back Reece James is expected to miss out on Wednesday night.

Likewise, Chelsea are also expected to once again be without the midfield duo of Mason Mount and Christian Pulisic out in Turin.

Key Factors to Consider

• Wednesday’s meeting in Turin is the first time that Juventus and Chelsea have faced off on Champions League duties since 2012.
• Chelsea’s 1-0 loss against Manchester City over the weekend was their first competitive defeat since opening the 2021/22 campaign.
• Juventus are unbeaten in their last four matchups across all formats, recording three wins and a single draw.
• Likewise, the Old Lady have scored over 2.5 goals in three of those four outings.
• Including their Champions League success in May, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last seven European away fixtures, recording six wins.

Conclusion

After getting hit with that 1-0 loss at the hands of Manchester City over the weekend, there is no doubt that Chelsea will be seeking an immediate response out in Turin. Opening the defence of their Champions League crown with a 1-0 win against Zenit at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago, the Blues also hold an eye-catching record on foreign soil. With returning marksman Romelu Lukaku now failing to find the net in back-to-back starts, Chelsea will be looking to cash in on a Juventus side still in the midst of a transition. While the Old Lady might have managed to land back-to-back action-packed 3-2 wins against Spezia and Sampdoria, Wednesday’s hosts have shown some worrying issues at the back. Gaining a reputation for their lively outcomes, Lukaku and Chelsea should be smelling a chance here.

Verdict: Chelsea win & Romelu Lukaku to score anytime

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet