Juventus – Trabzonspor

Juventus is the odds-on favorite to win the Europa League this season, being priced at about 4.25, but they will have to avoid an upset against Trabzonspor as they kick-start their journey to the trophy.

Juventus was shocked by Galatasaray 1-0 in the last group game on the Champions League and the team found itself thrown out in the lesser Europa League, but it seems the hosts are very motivated to do well here and reach the final, with reports stating that Antonio Conte will field the best available lineup in this one. With the team out of the Coppa Italia and 9 points clear of Roma in the Serie A, Juve can afford to be fully focused on the match against Trabzonspor. The hosts are in devastating form right now, losing 8 of their last 11 games with 2 draws and 1 loss. Juve is on the back of a comfortable 3-1 home win against Chievo in which they actually decided to rest a couple of important players (Tevez, Pogba) for today’s match.

Trabzonspor is struggling big-time right now. A run of poor form saw them sacking the manager and appointing an interim coach, but things did not take a turn for the better. Trabzonspor is on the 9th place in Turkey and in very poor form, without a win in the last 4 Superliga matches and with just 1 win in the last 10 games in all competitions. The visitors certainly have quality, but things are just not clicking right now and they are playing very poor football both on the defensive and the offensive end.

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Team news and lineups

Vucinic and Chellini are the only missing players for Juventus, with Barzagli being a game-time decision. Trabzonspor won’t be able to count on Bamba and Malouda, the latter being a huge absence as the frenchman has been arguably the best player of the team this season.

Juventus: Buffon – Barzagli, Bonucci, Ogbonna – Lichsteiner, Vidal, Pogba, Pirlo, Asamoah – Llorente, Tevez

Trabzonspor: Kivrak – Bosingwa, Yumlu, Demir, Keles – Colman, Adin, Hurmaci, Zokora, Alanzinho – Paulo Henrique

Trabzonspor in their curent state are unlikely to be able to challenge Juventus in Italy. Juventus is in top form right now and has not dropped a point at home all season in the Serie A and 9 of the 12 wins came by at least 2 goals (5 by 3 or more goals). Considering that the home team is fully focused on this match I expect them to take care of bussiness and cover a couple of handicaps here. Juventus has a brilliant attacking line and Tevez is playing his best football at the moment, so they can score and cover big spreads with ease, as proved in the domestic league. I would also note that after being knocked out by Galatasaray, I doubt Juve will underestimate any Turkish side.

My tip is Juventus to win with -2 asian handicap and I will use big stakes, as I can see a return of my investment as being the worst case scenario. The odds may seem a little short on this bet but my input is they should be even shorter and I am not surprised that the price is dropping fast. Pretty simple pick. Prediction: Juventus – Trabzonspor 3-0.

Pick: Juventus (-2 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.77 @ Sbobet
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 6.93
Event date: 20 February