As it was expected, the two teams will decide which one goes to the quarter-finals of the Champions League only after the 2nd leg that will take place in London. Tottenham is in a bit better situation due to very good 2-2 from the first match with vice-champion of Europe, Juventus, played in Turin two weeks ago. Let’s add that both teams won by three matches in their respective national leagues after their first head-to-head.
The Spurs had outclassed at home lower league Rochdale by even 6-1 and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, while in the Premier League they won Crystal Palace 1-0 away and Huddersfield 2-0 at home, which solidify their grip over the fourth place in the table where they have minimal backlog behind Manchester United and Liverpool. On the other hand, Tottenham has five points more than 5th-placed Chelsea, while 6th-placed Arsenal has already dropped from the race for the Champions League as it has even 13 points fewer than the Spurs.
Of course, very good results that Tottenham made in the English championship are the best possible lead-in to the 2nd leg with Juventus. Three weeks ago in Turin the Spurs managed to annul minus of two goals and pull of a great 2-2 draw. It means a goalless draw would suit them or draw with one goal on each side, which is why we expect a bit more defensive approach by team led by manager Pochettino who cannot count only on injured stopper Alderweireld and suspended defender Aurier.
Probable lineups Tottenhama: Lloris – Trippier, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Davies – Dier, Dembele – Son, Alli, Eriksen – Kane
Regarding reigning champions of Italy, they come to London being under much bigger pressure given that they need to win in order to pass further, as it is hard to expect that the two teams can drew again but with twice as many scored goals. We are all aware that both teams have very good defences, while Juventus’ manager Alegri probably cannot count for this match on the team’s first striker Higuain, who complains about injury for some time now.
On top of it, Dybala and Mandzukic are not fully ready although they did play league match with Lazio last weekend, which they won by a goal scored in 93 minute and after a long break again take the leading place in the Serie A table, since Napoli was defeated by Roma at home. Let’s add that Juventus recently eliminated Atalanta and qualified for the final of the Coppa Italia, and that due to injuries still out of action are defender de Sciglio, and wingers Cuadrado and Bernardeschi.
Probable lineups Juventus: Buffon – Lichtsteiner, Benatia, Chiellini, Alex Sandro – Khedira, Pjanic, Matuidi – Douglas Costa, Dybala, Mandzukic
Both teams are in great shape ahead of their second match in the round of 16 of the Champions League, but the guests from Turin are under much bigger pressure after those 2-2 in Turin, which is why we have decided to give them a slight advantage in this match.
Pick: Asian handicap
+0.25 Juventus 1.92 - 92/100 @1XBet