Champions League holders Chelsea welcome already qualified Juventus to their den needing a win to book their place in the Round of 16 with a game left to play. Tuchel's men are unbeaten in all competitions since they last met with the game ended in a 1-0 loss for them back in September.
CHL vs JUV Match Details :
When: Tuesday, 23 November/ Wednesday, 24 November
Time: 21:00 (BST)/ 01:30 (IST)
Where: Stamford Bridge, London
CHL vs JUV Match Preview :
Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea are creating another dream season for the Blues with the German's tactics paving the way for more success to come. With a 3-0 win over Leicester on the weekend, Chelsea firmed their grip on top of the Premier League table. Their defensive record have been extraordinary again, conceding merely four goals thanks to a well-built defense and the excellence of Edouard Mendy in between the sticks. But they have been fluent in attack too despite missing attackers through injury. The Blues are the second-best scorers in the Premier League with 30 goals. In Europe too, the London-based club has made their life cozy with wins over Malmo leaving them just one victory from the last 16. As said, Juventus were the second side after Manchester City to inflict a loss upon them in the reverse fixture but since then Chelsea have been smooth sailing. Tuchel wants his side to maintain their solidity and do what they didn't do in Turin to grab all three points.
Juventus secured an important victory against Lazio led by their former manager Maurizio Sarri. Leonardo Bonucci spectacularly converted two penalties in the comfortable 2-0 win at Stadio Olimpico with the home side being second best all evening. Back-to-back wins on the road bring hope to Turin giants to gather some momentum in a see-saw season lacking proper football and consistency. Amidst the league tussle where Juventus are left to fight for the top four rather than the title, Max Allegri's side have secured their destiny in the Champions League. Winning at home against Russian outfit Zenit gave them the fourth straight victory in the group stage for the very first time with the win over Chelsea being the notable one of their European journey. With qualification secured, the Old Lady will be aiming to end at the top of the pie in expectation of getting a manageable opposition in the next round but the home side's character can prove to be a stumbling block to their efforts.
Recent Form (all competition) :
Chelsea: WDWWD
Juventus: WWWLL
CHL vs JUV Team News :
Thomas Tuchel confirmed that Romelu Lukaku is still a doubt for Chelsea as he battles to recover from his injury. The Belgian is back in training but needs late sessions to be absolute certain to feature in some kind for this game. Jorginho limped off in the weekend against Leicester although he's available. However, Kai Havertz is facing late fitness concerns like Lukaku after complaining about his hamstrings. Timo Werner is back in connection while Christian Pulisic is aiming for a start after scoring in the weekend following his long injury layoff. Mateo Kovacic is out for a month while wing-back Marcos Alonso returned at the weekend from his ankle injury. In-form Ben Chilwell will start on the left anyway.
Juventus have Danilo, Chiellini, Ramsey, Bernardeschi and De Scigilo all missing out on this clash for their respective injury concerns. The Brazilian was the latest to withdraw due to an adductor injury that he picked up in the game against Lazio. Manuel Locatelli also faced some fitness issues but is past fit to play the game at Stamford Bridge. But the morale-boosting news is Paolo Dybala is part of the traveling squad after initially being reported a doubt for this fixture. Federico Chiesa, scorer of the only goal in the reverse fixture between the two, will partner the Argentinian upfront.
CHL vs JUV Expected Lineups :
Chelsea: Edouard Mendy; Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva, Reece James, Jorginho, Kante, Ben Chilwell; Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, Timo Werner
Juventus: Wojciech Szczesny; Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci, De Ligt, Alex Sandro, Juan Cuadrado, Weston McKennie, Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot, Alvaro Morata, Federico Chiesa
CHL vs JUV Head to Head :
Italian star Federico Chiesa scored within minutes in the second half of the reverse fixture to secure a 1-0 victory in Turin. Incidentally, Juventus are unbeaten in the last two games against Chelsea for the Blues last meeting at Stamford Bridge ended in a 2-2 draw. However, they won the first-ever matchup between the sides in the 2009 season when a certain Didier Drogba scored in front of the home fans to give a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg.
CHL vs JUV Dream11 Team Prediction:
GK: E. Mendy (CHL)
DEF: Bonucci (JUV), T. Silva (CHL), Rudiger (CHL)
MID: R. James (CHL), Kante (CHL), Mount (CHL), Chilwell (CHL)
FW: Chiesa (JUV), Dybala (JUV)
Match Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Juventus
Despite not being at their best, Juventus are a capable side to do the double over Chelsea and cement themselves in the first place but it is very much likely the results will favor the opposite side. Tuchel's brilliance is providing repeated success and it is unlikely to stop here. The victory will secure qualification and place them at top of the chart to count group winning chances in the last game.
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