There aren't many teams in the world which have been more dominant this season than Juventus in Italian Serie A. The Old Lady is 18-4-4 domestically and is +31 to show for its work. Sure, there's still work to be done to put aside Napoli and the rest, but all of that will be put aside for the Champions League on Tuesday night. You'd think that a team with these credentials in a league this good would be a slam dunk favorite. Instead, Juve is being punished for finishing second in the group stage. The punishment for not winning their group is a date with German giants, Bayern Munich.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Juventus +200
Bayern Munich +155
Draw +215
Over/Under 2 (over -125)
ODDS ANALYSIS
It's not that far of a stretch to think that all three potential results here are just as likely as one another. Bayern Munich, arguably the most talented team in the world today, is the deserving favorite, even on the road against one of the 10 best team we've got on the planet. The price of +155 isn't convincing, though.
Then again, seeing Juve at +200 at home almost seems comical, and that's why the draw almost feels like the most likely result even though it's the biggest underdog of the three at +215.
The total of 2 and -125 vig on the over insinuates that the first 90 minutes of these 180 could be quite close.
KEY INJURIES
The big question for Bayern Munich surrounded three of its stars. The Bavarians weren't sure as recently as the end of last week whether Mario Gotze, Franck Ribery or Serdar Tasci would be able to make the trip to Italy. However, all three are back at training this weekend and will be available for selection. Pep Guardiola though, has hinted that not all three will be in the Starting XI, and if we had to guess, Gotze and Ribery would end up being subs in this match only called upon if need be.
Sami Khedira didn't start against Bologna over the weekend as he recovers from a muscle injury. He's played in just 13 matches this season thanks to various injuries, and it'll be tough to see him ready for this one if he didn't play on Friday. Left back Alex Sandro will also be out of action in the first leg against Bayern Munich.
RECENT FORM
Scoring goals against The Old Lady has been quite tough this year, particularly in Turin. Juventus hasn't allowed a goal to be scored against it since January 10, a span of nine matches. Gianluigi Buffon is still one of the best in the world in net, and he's proved it by allowing just 14 goals in 25 matches this year.
Bayern Munich has won its last three matches, scoring three goals in each of the three. The Bavarians actually fell behind SV Darmstadt on Saturday before rallying for a 3-1 victory, and Guardiola knew after that match that his side wasn't at its best.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
We get the feeling this match is going to be played to Juve's terms more than Bayern's. The German giants know that they just have to not lose this soccer match, and they should be in fine shape at that point coming back to Munich for the second leg. As tough as it is to see Juventus winning this match in Turin, it's that much more difficult to see it going on the road and beating one of the best teams in the world.
Buffon could once again be inspiring for the men in white and black on Tuesday. This is perhaps the last chance in his career to win the Champions League, and we think he'll put forth a big effort. A scoreless draw would be a suitable result for The Old Lady, and we think that's what she'll get on Tuesday night.
Juventus 0, Bayern Munich 0
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