UCL Preview: Juventus vs Porto, key stats, line-ups, odds, prediction

Cristiano Ronaldo-Juventus

UEFA Champions League action returns this week as Juventus host Porto in the second leg of their quarter-final tie of the 2020/21 CL campaign. 

Stadium: Allianz Stadium

Key Statistics 

After losing to 2-1 to Porto last month, Juventus have failed to win the opening leg of a UEFA Champions League (UCL) Round-of-16 tie for the fourth time in a row.

But they have won all seven of their last home games in the league and are unbeaten in 11 home games.

Porto have lost just once in their last 15 away games in all competitions (W10, D4).

They have failed to score only once in their last 20 away games in all competition.

Also, Porto have kept four clean sheets in their last seven away games, conceding three goals in that period. 

Juventus

After falling 2-1 to Porto at the Estádio do Dragão last month, Juventus will look to overturn a deficit in the last-16 for the second year in a row when they welcome the Portuguese defending champions to Turin.

The Bianconeri who are struggling with injury troubles and inconsistent form head into this tie unbeaten in four games since after their shock loss to their counterpart three weeks ago. 

They remain the favourite for this clash despite their surprise loss in Portugal and will look to build upon their precious away goal. The reigning Serie A champions can progress if they score just a single goal and keep a clean sheet.

They will fancy their chances of doing that at the Allianz Stadium, as they have kept seven clean sheets from their last eight home games in all competitions while conceding just one goal. In that period, Andrea Pirlo’s boys also scored 19 times, failing to find the back of the net on just one occasion. 

Possible Juventus line-ups

Wojciech Szczesny (GK); Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Juan Cuadrado, Adrien Rabiot, Weston McKennie, Federico Chiesa; Dejan Kulusevsji; Alvaro Morata, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Unavailable: Dybala (knee), Bentancur (virus), Danilo (suspended)
Doubtful: Chiellini (calf), Arthur (leg)
Misses next match if booked: Bentancur, Cuadrado, Demiral

Today, the guys on the road to recovery all trained with us, it was the first time I had everyone in the group, apart from Matthijs de Ligt who only took part in the warm-up. The others are there, even if they are not 100%.

We will have to play a very technical game, because we will face a very compact team, with two very narrow lines and with little space and little time to think. It will take technique and patience.

The result is open, we will have to be clever in knowing how to manage the match to obtain qualification. Tomorrow is a decisive match for our Champions League campaign.

We know the importance and the beauty of playing in the Champions League. When you can play these games there is a totally different energy, but it must be faced just like all other important games

Andrea Pirlo, Juventus Manager

Porto

Reigning Portuguese champions Porto will look to continue their impressive European form when they travel to Turin to complete the job they started with a 2-1 win over Cristiano Ronaldo and co last month.

With that opening leg win last month, Sergio Conceicao’s side extended their European unbeaten streak to six. Despite their seemingly lowly status in the UCL in recent seasons, they remain one of the biggest clubs in the competition’s history and are currently in their 24th Champions League campaign – a total fewer than only Real Madrid and Barcelona (both 25).

They head into this tie with three wins from their last five games (D1, L1), and will be confident of matching up against their Italian counterparts in this tie. 

With last month’s result in Portugal, the visitors can qualify if they can at least play out a goalless draw. But their form which has seen them score in all but one of their last 20 away games suggests they will certainly not be looking to end the game without a goal.

Possible Porto line-ups

Augustin Marchesin (GK); Zaidu Sanusi, Diogo Leite, Pepe, Wilson Manafá; Jesus Corona, Sergio Oliveira, Mateus Uribe, Otávio; Moussa Marega, Mehdi Taremi.

Doubtful: Mbemba (knee)
Misses next match if booked: Sérgio Oliveira

We have prepared for the game to get a positive result, and for a club like Porto, that can only be a victory.

It’s 11 players against 11 players… they will do everything to honour the badge on their chest. Porto have a rich, great history in this competition.

Sérgio Conceição, Porto Manager

Betting Odds

Juventus : Draw : Porto :: 1.40 : 4.75 : 7.50

Prediction

Juventus 3—1 Porto