Newly-crowned Italian Serie A winners Juventus trail Lyon 1-0 going into the second leg of their Champions League tie on Friday night.
The Old Lady have lost three out of four recent fixtures, so can they get back to winning ways against a French side that have played just one competitive match since March?
Let’s have a look for the three beautiful bets for this Champions League encounter.
Juventus to Qualify
There’s no dressing up that Juventus’ form isn’t good of late. When football finally restarted after the break in play they started strongly, but as they got closer to landing the title they took their foot off the gas and threw away a few matches.
The thing is Juventus have done this a few times previously. Knowing they’re going to land a title that killer instinct abates and they flounder. However, at home they’ve only lost one of their last 20 matches.
In the Champions League they’ve lost only four times over their 20 most recent home matches, to Ajax, Man United and Real Madrid twice. Lyon are in no way as good as any of those sides, even counting that very lucky Man United win from a few seasons ago.
Lyon really frustrated the Old Lady in the first leg, and they’ll aim to do so again here but looking back over that match Juventus had ample opportunities to level, or even win the match. This time around they should get the job done.
MORE TIPS: Our 11/1 Same Game Multi for Man City v Real Madrid
Ronaldo to Score & Juventus to Win
Cristiano Ronaldo has 129 Champions League goals in his 169 matches. He’s played 31 matches in the last 16 of the competition scoring 23 goals. He’s a beast folks!
We should all take a moment to realise just how lucky we all are to see him and that Barcelona lad play football at the same time. OK, that’s done…
Ronaldo is on penalties and freekicks for Juventus, and with Paulo Dybala doubtful to make the starting XI, all of the attacks are going to be coming from the Portuguese star.
He rarely doesn’t score at this level and he’s on the winning side at this stage of the competition more often than not.
Marcelo to be Booked
In Marcelo’s five Champions League starts for Lyon he’s gotten two bookings so far, he also received two bookings over his six cup matches for Lyon this season too.
He’s got a cleaner bill of health in French league games with four yellow cards in 17 matches.
We like the look of him here to pick up a card here again after picking up one in the first leg.
Facing off against the pace and guile of both Ronaldo and Higuain in the centre of Lyon’s defence, he’s likely to give away a few more fouls and pick up a card here again.
Juventus v Lyon tips
Juventus to Qualify
Ronaldo to Score & Juventus to Win
Marcelo to be Booked
RECOMMENDED READING:
- All the latest football previews from across the English football and Europe are just a click away
- Placing bets is easier than ever with Paddy Power News’ live odds banners
- Sancho Transfer Latest: United threaten to add Jones to deal if Dortmund play hardball