Yahoo News Juventus vs Barcelona prediction: How will Champions League fixture play out tonight?
Juventus and Barcelona meet on Wednesday night in the Champions League in what might be something of a restructuring season for both.
The giants have won seven European Cups between them, but after appointing new managers in the summer and being some way off the pace in recent seasons among the game’s elite, they have some way to go before adding to their respective tallies.
The watching world may be denied a Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi match-up, with the Portuguese forward having tested positive for coronavirus during the international break and awaiting the results of another test ahead of this fixture.
Both teams won their opening match in the group, but have been inconsistent this season and neither won in their respective leagues this past weekend.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of kick-off.
When is the game?
The match is set to kick-off at 8pm GMT on Wedneday, 28 October at the Allianz Stadium.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown live on BT Sport 3. Subscribers can stream the game via the BT Sport app or website.
What is the team news?
Three Juventus defenders will miss the match, with Giorgio Chiellini and Alex Sandro both extremely unlikely to play and Matthijs de Ligt still recovering from surgery.
Weston McKennie is available after testing positive for Covid-19 last week and having now recovered, but Cristiano Ronaldo will not be able to play for the same reason, as it stands. Arthur could start again in midfield against the team he left this summer.
Barcelona are without Philippe Coutinho, who has a hamstring strain, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has yet to play this term. Gerard Pique is also suspended. Koeman must choose between Sergi Roberto and Serginio Dest at right-back, while Antoine Griezmann will hope for a recall. Miralem Pjanic left Juve for Barca in the swap deal with Arthur, but might not start here.
Predicted line-ups
JUV: Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Demiral, Cuadrado; Rabiot, Arthur, Ramsey; Kulusevksi, Morata, Chiesa.
FCB: Neto; Dest, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba; De Jong, Busquets; Griezmann, Pedri, Fati; Messi
Odds
Juventus - 24/13
Draw - 5/2
Barcelona - 8/5
Prediction
Juve have more options, better players and more experienced heads in attacking situations, which could prove the difference as Barca are missing key personnel at the back. A Cristiano-Messi shoot-out could go either way, but by the strength of the line-ups overall, Juve should edge it. Juventus 2-1 Barcelona
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