Juventus hosts Benfica in the Champions League this midweek. Juve will be hoping to improve their record against The Eagles. Incredibly, the Old Lady of Italian football has defeated the Portuguese giants just once in six attempts when they have clashed in Europe.
Juventus are in dreadful form right now. They have won just one of their last six fixtures, are suffering from a terrible injury crisis and are just one step away from a complete meltdown.
The last meeting between Juventus and Benfica in European competition came in the 2013-14 UEFA Europa League semi-finals, where the Portuguese side won 2-1 on aggregate. That included a 2-1 win in Portugal and a 0-0 draw in Turin.
Benfica came into this match off the back of a convincing 2-0 victory over Maccabi Haifa. Juventus, on the other hand, had a slightly tougher assignment in match week one. Juve traveled to Paris to face PSG and fell to a Kylian Mbappe brace, 2-1.
Juventus vs Benfica FYIs
Kick-Off: Wed. Sept 14, 8 pm, Allianz Stadium
Competition: UCL Group G, Matchday 2 of 6
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Google Result Probability: Juventus 43% Benfica 29% Draw 28%
UCL Group Standings: Juventus: 3rd, 0pts Benfica 1st, 3pts
Team News
There has been plenty of talk about injury crises in my previews of late. Liverpool & Dortmund spring to mind. But I think the worst injury crisis in world football right now is happening at Juventus. Take a look at some of these names who are likely to miss out for the Bianconeri this week in the Champions League
Federico Chiesa (ACL)
Paul Pogba (Knee Surgery)
Kaio Jorge (Patella Rupture)
Wojciech Szczesny (Ankle)
Angel Di Maria (Torn Adductor)
Manuel Locatelli (Knock)
Adrien Rabiot (Calf)
Marley Ake (Fractured Leg)
Most clubs would be delighted to have this much class on their playing list. Juventus have this much class missing time in the training room.
Starting XI Prediction
GK: Mattia Perin
DEF: Danilo, Leo Bonucci, Gleison Bremer, Alex Sandro
MID: Fabio Miretti, Leandro paredes, Weston McKennie
ATT: Juan Cuadrado, Dusan Vlahovic, Filip Kostic
Stuey’s Two Cents
When you combine the injury list that Juventus has, plus the form they have shown against this opponent specifically, it doesn’t bode well. I usually stick with the home teams, particularly in the Champions League, but not this time. I am going with an away win that might just send Turin into a complete meltdown.
Benfica 2-1
Stuart Kavanagh is a journalist currently residing in Broken Hill, Australia. He writes for the Barrier Truth newspaper, along with being the owner of the sports and entertainment website thepyrrhic.com, He also co-hosts the ‘After Extra Time’ podcast and contributes at edgeofthecrowd.com when time permits.
Football mad, he is always down for debate and discussion at @stueyissickofit on Twitter.