Wednesday, 19:45
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I was confident that Juventus would go to Barcelona and cause problems in the first meeting between these sides this season. I was wrong about that, and given the issues that currently surround the Italian champions, it's hard to give them too much of a chance in this second meeting. Remember though that Gigi Buffon will be back for this game, having been rested at the weekend, and Juve remain the masters of getting a result when it matters most.
One thing that IS for sure is that we'll see a much more solid Juve than the one which was beaten 3-2 at Sampdoria on Sunday. Max Allegri will have hated that performance, and I think that we'll see a reversion to a less ambitious Juve, one that will try and dig out a point at least, which would put last season's finalists in pole position to at least progress from the Group.
Ernesto Valverde's approach to Champions League away games this season has been interesting anyway: they won 1-0 at Sporting, drew 0-0 at Olympiakos, and there's every reason to believe that we'll see a similar kind of display from them.
Barca have a huge La Liga game to come against Valencia at the weekend, and a draw would suit them in Turin with a home tie against Sporting to come. The Barca nightmare in terms of qualification is a defeat to Juve, and they'll do everything that they can to stop that happening.
Because Juve have been involved in some high-scoring games lately, and because of the perception of Barcelona as a team that is full of goals, we're able to back Under 2.5 Goals here at a shade of odds on, and I think that rates as a solid bet.
Juve have conceded only once in their last five home games against Spanish sides in the Champions League, and that hints at a cautiously effective approach. The draw would seem to be the most obvious result here, and a second consecutive 0-0 draw away from home for Barca has to be a big runner at around 9.00.
Barca have turned into a different team in the absence of Neymar's guile, but it's a style which may ultimately give them more chance of going further in this competition. This Juve may not be a vintage version, but they're still powerful and oughtn't be written off just yet.
The draw at 3.45 makes a lot of appeal, but Under 2.5 Goals at around 1.90 (or slightly bigger) is the better call.
Recommended Bet
Back Under 2.5 Goals in Juventus v Barcelona @ 1.90
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