Barcelona sits at the top of Group D in the Champions League with 10 points, three points over Juventus, but Barcelona flexed their muscles in the first meeting at home. Juventus will have a chance to get some revenge when they meet on November 22nd in Turin.
What To Know About Barcelona
Barcelona failed to win for the first time this season in the Champions League as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Olympiakos, despite absolutely dominating the game. Barcelona had 70% of the ball and 19 shots on goal, but just six on target, to six shots on goal and one on target to Olympiakos. Barca has three wins and a draw now, and they have scored seven goals in the Champions League with one goal allowed. Six of those goals have come at home, although Barcelona has only played one away game so far, which was a 1-0 win at Sporting Lisbon. However, what might be more concerning is that out of Barcelona’s seven goals scored, two of them have been own goals from the other team, and Lionel Messi has three goals himself. Messi is fantastic, no doubt, and we know he can carry a team by himself, but he shouldn’t have to. Luis Suarez hasn’t been very good at all this season, and Messi’s teammates have to step up and give him a hand.
What To Know About Juventus
Gonzalo Higuain scored in the 79th minute to get a point for Juventus in a 1-1 draw at Sporting Lisbon, and they’re on seven points now after four games. It was Higuain’s second goal of the group stage, which brings him level with Mario Mandzukic, but they have scored five goals and allowed five goals, and having an even goal differential isn’t the best thing in the world for a team looking to go through to the next round. Paulo Dybala has to improve as he has 21 shots on goal, but only seven on target with no goals and no assists and if Juve is going to be a serious contender to win the Champions League, he needs to be better. It would be good if he could start in this game.
Outlook
Barca are slight favorites away from home at +145 with Juventus coming in at +170, and a draw is rated at +250. Juventus has won five and drawn three of their 12 meetings with Barcelona, who won 3-0 at home over Juve in September. Messi scored twice with Ivan Ratikic adding a single for Barca. These two are obviously the class of Group D and they should be able to go through, but neither has really been impressive outside of Barcelona’s win over Juventus and again, that was mostly down to the magic of Messi. This is a big game for both teams to get a little momentum going, and you can bet that both teams won’t be resting on their laurels for a draw; a win is what they’re aiming for because that would put one foot in the knockout stages.
Champions League Betting Pick: Draw
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