Prediction: Juventus vs Lyon

Prediction: Juventus win

Best Odds: 11/25

Bookmaker: 888sport

Domestic football may be in short supply during the month of August but in its place, we’ll see the return of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. The two blockbuster competitions will be transformed into a straight knockout tournament, filling the void that has been left by the absence of UEFA Euro 2020 this summer. Today, we’re going to be taking a look at what should be an intriguing round of 16 meeting in the UCL between Juventus and Lyon.

Juventus

A dramatic 3-3 draw against Sassuolo back in mid-July helped Juve, in a bizarre way, to take another step towards the Serie A title. They proceeded to edge past Lazio in an entertaining clash before losing to Udinese, but against Sampdoria, they won 2-0 to confirm that they would be the Champions of Italy once again. When they finished the season, though, they didn’t really appear to be interested in putting on a show as they fell to consecutive losses against Cagliari and Roma.

Team News

The expectation is that de Ligt will continue to feature at the back, whereas Dybala up top is a doubt due to his fitness. He should be fit enough to start or at least be on the bench, but Costa and De Sciglio won’t be as lucky as they’re both out through injury.

Lyon

We have to go back months to see the final run in for Lyon before lockdown, starting with a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg. They then went on one of their best three-game spells of the season, beating Metz and St-Etienne in Ligue 1 whilst also beating Juventus 1-0 in the first leg of their tie. Then, however, they were battered 5-1 by PSG in the Coupe de France semi-final before losing 1-0 to Lille in the league.

Team News

Depay is set to return after missing the first leg through injury, whereas Kone has been ruled out as an official injury absence. Elsewhere, Marcelo and Tete are both doubts to play.

Factors to Consider

• In the first leg, Lyon shocked Juventus by winning 1-0.
• Juventus have won two, drawn one and lost three of their last six games.
• Lyon have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
• Juventus have scored nine goals and conceded 11 in their last six games.
• Lyon have scored seven goals and conceded seven in their last six games.

Conclusion

Lyon have a lead to sit on, but when you’re going up against a team as talented as Juventus, none of that really matters. They can try and sit back before inviting the pressure from the Old Lady, which could lead to the French side hitting them on the counter, but they’re going to be unbelievably rusty given the fact that they haven’t played a competitive game since March. It’s going to be an entertaining clash, and Juve will be the ones to run out winners and book their place in the last eight.

Prediction: Juventus win

Best Odds: 11/25

Bookmaker: 888sport