Juventus V Bayern Munich

Tuesday 8^th December – 19:45 GMT

Group A

When the draw for the groups was made, Bayern Munich and Juventus shaped up as the possible frontrunners in Group A with perhaps Bordeuax a dangerous outsider. Well, the outsider certainly prevailed, on more than one occasion, and it is the French outfit who are the only team in the group to have secured their spot in the last sixteen, in their wake leaving both Juventus and Bayern to fight it out for the one remaining qualifying spot. Also, Bordeaux were so dominant over the pair that they didn’t fall to a single defeat along the way and will end the group stages at Group A winners, regardless of what happens elsewhere in Turin.

As far as these two former giants of European football go, both require a result over one another to progress into the next stage of the competition, although it’s Bayern Munich who have their work cut out. Juventus will not only have the advantage of playing on home soil but they’ll also be confident of progressing simply because they only need a solitary point to be sure of a last sixteen berth. Bayern, however, must win in Turin to earn themselves an undeserved place in the knock-out phase of the competition.

Juventus

Group A Position: 2^nd

Group A Form: DDWWL

Predicament: Only need 1 point to progress

After making a bright start in the competition, winning two of their opening four fixtures, as well as maintaining an unbeaten run along the way, Juve’s fortunes soon turned slightly sour after suffering defeat at the hands of Bordeaux, a team they could only manage a 1-1 draw with on Match Day 1, a result which, in heince sight, has cost them early progression. However, the show must go on as they say and Juventus don’t even need to put on a fabulous display for the home fans as a draw is all they need to bypass what has been a very tricky group.

In the Champions League thus far, Juventus’ only win came in a narrow 1-0 victory over rock-bottom, Maccabi Haifa. The fact that it was only 1-0 is a big negative in itself as many pundits, including ourselves, would have expected a much bigger margin of victory. Nevertheless, it was three points and they could make it two wins from two at home in the competition with a win over Bayern Munich, a team whose only away success came against the same outfit, Maccabi Haifa (0-3), but lost on their previous away outing in Bordeaux, losing 2-1. Also, the morale within the Juventus camp should have gone up a few notches after their 2-1 victory over the reigning Italian champions – Inter Milan, on Saturday.

On Saturday, Juventus put an end to an unbeaten run of seven games for Juventus and closed the gap on them to just five points. The players will now be very confident that they can now compete on every quarter, and pleased that their league campaign is well and truly back on track. However, the cherry on what has been a very good week for them would be progression from Group A. All Juventus need is a point and what all Italian sides are good at is producing dull, low-scoring games when it really matters. However, Juventus have only kept two home clean sheets back home in eight home outings in Serie A, which does leave them exposed to what is still a dangerous Bayern offensive.

Bayern Munich

Group A Position: 3^rd

Group A Form: WDLLW

Predicament: Must WIN to progress

Bayern Munich have been a model for consistency in recent Champions League’s but this hasn’t been the case this season, and the German powerhouse could find themselves dumped into the Europa League if they don’t obtain all three points in Turin. Bayern were held to a goalless draw when the pair met in Munich on Match Day and whereas that result would see their match day rivals sail through, on the same token it would also see Bayern exit the competition.

The omens ahead of their trip to Turn aren’t great. On their previous two visits to Turin, Bayern Munich have lost on both occasions, while, somewhat ironically, the under-fire Bayern manager, Louis Van Gaal, lost to Juventus in a final back in his playing days. However, losing in the final then may have been one of the worst moments in his career but an early exit from the competition could leave him begging for his job. Bayern have not only been well below par in this competition but they’ve also been under-performing back in domestic action, leaving the Bayern Munich disgruntled at yet another manager.

The two defeats home and away to Bordeaux is what has cost Bayern dearly and what could be the death of them in this competition. However, after battling hard on Match Day 5 to record a nervy 1-0 victory over Maccabi Haifa, Bayern do still their own fate in their hands but know only a win will do if they want to remain with Europe’s elite.

However, Bayern’s league form is looking far more rosier now after a run of eight games without defeating, four wins and four draws, while Bayern are unbeaten in three away outings in the Bundesliga, albeit against pretty poor opposition. However, a big negative is that Bayern away record while in league action is ordinary (3-2-2), and with Bayern only managing to win just under half of their away games this season, that average won’t do if they want to progress on Tuesday night. They did, however, win on their very last away outing, a 3-0 win in Hannover, whilst they won again over the weekend, a 2-1 victory at home to Borussia Monchengladbach, so perhaps matters are taking a turn for the better.

Match Verdict:- Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

A tight, nervy game is on the cards here and we fancy this it to pitier out into a draw. It’s down to Bayern Munich, the side that desperately have to win, to make this an entertaining affair. Juventus will probably play in a cautious manner, not throwing a large number of bodies forward unless absolutely necessary, while the pressure is firmly on Bayern to ask all the questions. Gut instinct mixed with Bayern’s dreadful performance in the Champions League thus far says an early opener for Bayern Munich which will then later be cancelled out at the other end with a Juventus equaliser. A 1-1 draw tickles our fancy.

Match Odds:

Juventus – 2.30 VCbet

Draw – 3.40 SkyBet

Bayern Munich – 3.40 SkyBet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: 1-1 Correct Score – 6.50 Bet365