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Betting Preview: Real Madrid vs Juventus
The Champions League returns to our screens this coming week as teams play the second legs of the quarter-final draws. A few results from the first legs assure some team’s progression to the next round i.e. the semi-finals while it’s still everything to play for, for some teams whose matches are still in the balance. The standout tie of the 2017/18 Champions League is arguably the Real Madrid vs Juventus match which saw Real Madrid win by 3 goals to nil when they travelled to Turin a week ago after a sublime Cristiano Ronaldo show. With the second leg coming next week, let’s look at how the match is likely to unfold. Punters can have their say on who the match winner is going to be by visiting netbet.co.uk.
Tough ask for Juventus
Santiago Bernabeu is ready for the big match.
Juventus’s trip to Spain to face Real Madrid will be the second time this season that Juventus have had. Juventus does not have good memories of Spain as they recently lost to Real Madrid rivals, Barcelona by the same scoreline they suffered in Turin last week, 3-0. With the Serie A title already Juventus’ to lose, Juventus’ eggs will all be in the same basket to try and reverse the heavy defeat they suffered earlier.
Juventus is renowned for its defensive solidity, they will have to abandon that strategy if they are to win in Spain. An attacking master class is therefore needed, but it also presents Juventus with some problems as it will open up the spaces for Real Madrid to exploit when they get the ball.
Team News
Real Madrid will have more or less the same squad that travelled to Turin that is if no player picks up an injury during the Madrid derby over the weekend with Atletico Madrid. Real Madrid manager has continued using the same tactics he used last season when he rested key players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric in the league. It’s not clear, however, if that will be the case this time around. Knowing that he has a comfortable lead to preserve, he might just opt to go with a conservative team selection which includes the likes of Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, and Mateo Kovacic, players who are able to track back.
Juventus, on the other hand, need all the attacking players they have to come to party. Gonzalo Higuaín facing his old club is expected to lead the line and much is expected from him. His showing in Turin was below par meaning more is expected from him. The biggest concern for the Juventus fans, however, is the suspension of Paulo Dybala, their star man. Without him, opening up the Real Madrid defence will be a tough ask. The onus will be on Miralem Pjanic to be the creative force.