Melbourne Victory VS Juventus Match Prediction

Melbourne Victory have played Juventus one time before, in a club friendly back in 2008 when Muscat was the captain of the A-League outfit rather than their coach. Juve ran out 4-1 winners on the day, with Nicola Legrottaglie, Rafaelle Palladino (twice) and Marco Marchionni on target. Victory's Costa Rican midfielder Carlos Hernandez salvaged some pride for his side with a long-range effort, but it was a comfortable win for the Serie A team.

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Melbourne Victory v Juventus: Prediction

Juventus have a reserves team in action at the International Champions Cup, with many of their key players given time off following Euro 2016. 

But Allegri will be hoping his young talent push themselves into his thinking with a high level of performance, while the likes of Dybala and Benatia are much better players than anyone currently plying their trade in the A-League. Juve should win, but a shock result is always possible.

Melbourne Victory v Juventus: Betting Tips

Melbourne Victory are the clear outsiders for this game and they can be backed at a price of 7/1, while the draw is also a large price, with 22/5 widely available. Strong favourites Juventus are offered at 8/15, which is not particularly good value, so playing the handicap market could be a wise move for this International Champions Cup match. 

Juventus -1, which means they have to win by at least two goals, is available at a very tempting 11/8, while Juventus -2 can be backed at a very big price of 18/5. Odds of 21/20 on Dybala to score any time against Victory are also well worth considering here.

Melbourne Victory have home advantage for this game as it is taking place at the famous MCG, but they have just finished their league season, while Juventus are preparing for the impending start of the new Serie A campaign.

Victory ended the A-League with three defeats in their last five games, but coach Kevin Muscat is likely to name a strong team similar to that which lined up in their most recent league fixtures, while new signing Alan Baro could be in the team.

Melbourne Victory likely XI: 

Thomas, Baro, Donachie, Ansell, Geria, Bozanic, Valeri, Broxham, Thompson, Bozanic, Khalfallah.

Paul Pogba, Sami Khedira and Claudio Marchisio are unavailable, so young players such as Mattia Vitale, Roman Macek and Grigoris Kastanos could get a chance to impress for Juve. 

Among the players still on holiday after Euro 2016 are Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Simone Zaza and Andrea Barzagli, as well as Leonardo Bonucci, Mario Mandzukic, Stefan Lichtsteiner and Patrice Evra.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri is expected to continue with his 3-5-2 formation, with Argentine striker Paulo Dybala set to lead the line, while new signings centre-back Medhi Benatia, former Barcelona full-back Dani Alves and Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjanic are likely to be in the team.

Juventus likely XI: 

Neto, Alves, Rugani, Benatia, Vitale, Macek, Kastanos, Asamoah, Padoin, Pjanic, Dybala.

Despite the weak squad available to Allegri for the International Champions Cup, it would be a huge surprise if they were upset by Victory. The Serie A champions know what it takes to win and should come out on top by two or three clear goals even though many of their most famous stars will be watching at home on the television.

Juventus have won Series A five years in a row, while Melbourne Victory have won the A-League on three occasions.