Juventus VS Sporting Lisbon Match Prediction

Juventus and Sporting Lisbon have never played in official competition before, but they have met once in a friendly.  That came in 2011, and Sporting won 1-2 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in that match.      

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Juventus vs Sporting Betting Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Juventus are at 1/3 to win, a draw is at 4/1, and a Sporting Lisbon win is at 15/2.

In spite of Sporting CP being ahead of Juve in the current queue, they are rank outsiders ahead of this match.  In addition to being away from home, they simply do not have the class and amount of talent that the Old Lady has at its disposal here.

The Old Lady at home are a very strong side, though they have given Sporting a bit of a template to look at after their performance at the weekend resulted in a shock loss there against Lazio.  An in-form striker, along with a solid defensive effort and some poor attacking play, could be just what is needed to beat Juve once again.  But after seeing that happen to them, you can't like Juve to once again falter as they just did.  Juve eliminated Sporting's rivals Porto last season in the round of 16 in a routine manner, so they know how to do that when they want to do so.    

Sporting haven't fared well away in Italy, so a point here could be golden for them.  And realistically, that could help them into the next round of the UCL if the other results also went their way in the group.  That has to be their hope in this match, and it will play a role.  Anything they get here would boost them and hurt Juve a lot, and it could be just what they need to move on in shock fashion.

Juve -1 is at 10/11.

Juventus vs Sporting Prediction

Juventus come out and show their mettle to make sure they don't slip to a second straight defeat.  

Correct Score Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Sporting Lisbon

Team News

Max Allegri once again has an injury to winger Marko Pjaca to account for.  Joining him is center midfielder Miralem Pjanic with a muscle issue.  Center back Benedikt Howedes might be able to play a role if called upon. 

Key Man

The goal glut hasn't completely dried up for Gonzalo Higuain this seaosn, but it has slowed down significantly for the Argentine striker.  So much so that his compatriot Paulo Dybala is by far the man they are turning to.  He missed out as a started on Saturday, and as such, they went down to Lazio at home.  The man has scored ten league goals so far this season, and will be looking to grab his very first UCL goal of the season in this match, upon his return to the starting XI.

Team Form

Juve have  a loss, and a draw, and three wins in their last five matches:

1-2 home loss vs Lazio
2-2 draw at Atalanta
2-0 home win vs Olympiakos (UCL)
4-0 home win vs Torino
1-0 home win vs Fiorentina

Juventus Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Team News

Jorge Jesus has injuries to forwards Seydou Doumbia and Alan Ruiz to deal with.  Left back Fabio Coentrao is also set to miss out with a muscular problem.  Lots of rotation should be seen after they played a young/fringe squad in their cup match on Thursday at ARC.  

Key Man

Center defensive midfielder William Carvalho is quickly becoming one of the world's very best players in his position in the center of the park.  He doesn't look like the most graceful player, but he has a great touch and a sense of calm and commands the area well defensively.  He's the type of player that Juventus are missing, in truth, and he could be set to spoil their day here with a typically sturdy and gritty showing for his team.  

Team Form

Sporting have a win, three draws, and a loss in their last five matches:

2-4 win at Oleiros (Cup)
0-0 home draw vs FC Porto
0-1 home loss vs Barcelona (UCL)
1-1 draw at Moreirense
0-0 draw at Maritimo (Cup)

Sporting Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-4-1-1

Juventus and Sporting Lisbon find themselves locked on three points apiece after two matches in the group so far, and the next two matches played out between them are likely to determine the ultimate direction of the group. Juventus will be massive favorites to get through, and they should be able to as they should get a win in this home match to give them a cushion and allow them to draw in the match to come with Lisbon if need be.

Sporting have yet to record a victory away to Italian opposition in 13 attempts prior to this match.