Prediction: Lyon vs Juventus

Verdict: Juventus to score over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Bet365

Looking to gain an early advantage on Wednesday night, Juventus will make the trip to Lyon’s Groupama Stadium in midweek.

Juventus

Starting with the hosts, while Lyon may have managed to pick up what was a 2-0 win away at Metz on Friday night, it does not cover what has been a worrying campaign for the French outfit. Winning just one of their five Ligue 1 matches since opening February, Head Coach Rudi Garcia finds his side sat seven points adrift of finding a route back into the Champions League spots. If Les Gones are to secure what would be a huge upset on Tuesday night, then there is no doubt that the former Roma boss will be calling on leading marksman Moussa Dembele to lead their charge in midweek. Heavily linked with a potential summer switch to the Premier League, the French striker once again found the net against Metz over the weekend and has recorded 16 strikes across all competitions so far this season. However, while the one-time Celtic starlet might be enjoying his own purple patch, Lyon have shown some worrying inconsistencies on home soil. Along with remarkably drawing seven of their last eight Champions League matches at the Groupama Stadium, Wednesday’s hosts have won just one of their last five Ligue 1 matches in front of their own fans.

Team News

Still suffering with a long-term knee injury, Lyon will once again be without Dutch attacker Memphis Depay on Wednesday night.

The French outfit are also missing Jeff Reine-Adélaïde and Youssef Kone who have knee and ankle injuries respectively.

Lyon

As for the visitors, while Juventus may not have been at their best away at SPAL over the weekend, the Italian champions did manage to pick up a 2-1 win on the road and have found a route back to the top of the Serie A table. Landing back-to-back victories since their shock defeat against Verona earlier in the month, new boss Maurizio Sarri will be desperate for his side to find some much-needed stability on the road. The former Chelsea boss has seen his side win just one of their last four matches away from the Allianz and they are yet to record an away clean sheet since opening the New Year. While Sarri’s position in Turin might be coming under increasing scrutiny, the Italian outfit do have their own leading icon who finds himself in the midst of what has been a stellar purple patch. Breaking yet another record after finding the net against SPAL over the weekend, Cristiano Ronaldo has found the net in his last nine appearances across all competitions and has already recorded a staggering 36 goals for club and country since opening the 2019/2020 campaign.

Team News

Juventus have announced that key midfielder Miralem Pjanic is still struggling with a minor knock and could be replaced by Rodrigo Bentancur at the heart of Juve’s midfield.

Elsewhere, after making his comeback from a long-term knee injury, Giorgio Chiellini will hope to retain his place in Sarri’s starting XI.

Key Factors to Consider

• Cristiano Ronaldo has found the net in his last nine appearances across all competitions.
• Juventus have won their last five Champions League matches on the bounce.
• Seven of Lyon’s last eight Champions League matches on home soil have ended in a draw.
• The Old Lady have failed to record an away clean sheet since opening the New Year.
• Lyon have won just one of their last five Ligue 1 matches at the Groupama Stadium.

Conclusion

While Juventus might not be at their best since bringing in new boss Maurizio Sarri, they do have one leading marksman who has continued to take Europe by storm. Given Lyon’s recent struggles, particularly on home soil, there is no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo will see Tuesday as a golden opportunity to extend on his recent purple patch. Finding the net in each of his last nine matches on the bounce and already recording 36 goals so far this season, we’re backing the attacking icon enjoy another fruitful night in front of goal in midweek.

Verdict: Juventus to score over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Bet365