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Juventus will take on a seemingly rejuvenated Borussia Dortmund side tonight in Turin, in a match counting for the Champions League Round 16 first leg.
Juve managed to put a solid distance between them and Roma in the Serie A, sitting 9 points clear at the top of the table. This being said, it`s pretty obvious that right now Champions League is the main objective for the Italian side. However, Juventus struggled a little bit in Europe this season, just like last year – almost being knocked out from a group with Atletico Madrid, Olympiakos and Malmo, mainly due to their poor away performances. The hosts will try to make use of their excellent home record and very good form in order to gain a key win tonight.
Dortmund has finally started to win some games in the Bundesliga, having 3 consecutive victories with no less than 10 goals scored, but Klopp’s side is still far away from playing their best football – and their defensive shakiness might be a problem against a team of Juventus’ caliber. On the bright side Dortmund was a totally different team in the Champions League group stage, playing closer to their potential and winning the group ahead of Arsenal.
Bet on Juventus vs. Dortmund with top Europa League football odds at William Hill.
Team news & lineups:
Juve will have to do without Asamoah, while Barzagli, Matri and Marrone are questionable. Dortmund only has Grosskreutz out of the lineup, but Bender, Durm, Hummels, Immobile and Kehl are all doubtful.
Juventus: Buffon – Lichtsteiner, Chiellini, Bonucci, Evra – Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba – Pereyra – Llorente, Tevez
Dortmund: Weidenfeller – Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer – Sahin, Kagawa, Gundogan, Reus – Immobile, Aubameyang
I tend to give Dortmund the edge in this tie, especially if they keep improving until the reverse leg. However, I can see Juve snatching this one today. The hosts are undefeated in Turin this season and are obviously in much better long term form than Borussia, playing more cohesive and tactical sound football. Both sides are particularly strong at home, so Borussia would probably not bee too disappointed with a close loss, looking to assure qualification in Dortmund. My tip is Juventus to win, I think their odds should not be higher than evens here. Prediction: Juventus – Borussia Dortmund 2-1.
Pick: Juventus
Odds: 2.10 @ William Hill
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 7.7
Event date: 24 February
