Both Juventus and Manchester City find themselves outside the automatic Champions League qualification spots. Can either team secure a crucial three points in their clash on Thursday? Read on for our Juventus vs Man City prediction.
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Juventus vs Manchester City: Match Preview
The new UEFA Champions League format has already delivered several surprises, with some big names struggling in the lower half of the 36-team standings.
Juventus and Manchester City are among those teams, sitting 19th and 17th respectively ahead of Matchday 6 as they prepare to face off at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
Pep Guardiola may have hoped City’s poor form was behind them after their 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League last Wednesday, but their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Saturday quickly reminded them of their struggles. In that match, they had to fight back twice from behind and also saw Rico Lewis sent off.
In the Champions League, Guardiola’s side has been winless in their last two matches. They were beaten 4-1 by Sporting CP and then squandered a three-goal lead in a 3-3 draw with Feyenoord at home. This marks the first time a team managed by Guardiola has conceded multiple goals in three consecutive Champions League games.
The Premier League champions once again struggled defensively at Selhurst Park last weekend, with the out-of-form Kyle Walker at fault for both of Crystal Palace’s goals. Manchester City will hope to have Manuel Akanji and John Stones fit for their trip to Italy, while Rico Lewis will also be available before serving a domestic suspension for next week’s Manchester Derby.
At just 20 years and 20 days old on Wednesday, Lewis is the youngest player to have played every minute for his team in the Champions League this season. He also leads players aged 21 or under for chances created (13) and expected assists (2.0 xA) in the 2024-25 edition.
One of City’s most significant issues is their inability to contain counterattacks in the absence of Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri. Only Milan (14) allowed more fast breaks than City (13) across the first five Champions League matchdays, and no team has faced more shots from such situations (13).
Last season, City allowed fewer fast breaks per 90 minutes (1.6) than teams like Newcastle United (2.8), Braga (2.0), Napoli (1.9), Red Star Belgrade (1.8), and Manchester United (1.7). Six teams also conceded more shots from those fast breaks per game than City’s 1.1.
As Guardiola searches for solutions in midfield, Matheus Nunes has been given a more prominent role. The former Wolves player has contributed offensively, assisting three goals in his last three Champions League matches. He is the only City player to provide more than one assist in the competition this season and, along with Benfica’s Ángel Di María, has created five big chances across the first five matchdays.
With the high stakes and the measured approach advocated by both Guardiola and Juventus coach Thiago Motta – who joined Barcelona’s first team shortly after Guardiola’s departure as a player in 2001 – this match could be a tightly contested affair.
Indeed, across the first five Champions League matchdays, both Juve and City rank among the top five teams for average time per possession sequence (17.2 seconds for City, 14.1 for Juve).
For Juventus, possession often lacks purpose. They were forced to fight back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw with Bologna on Saturday. While the result preserved their unbeaten start to the Serie A season, they have drawn nine out of 15 matches and currently sit sixth in the league.
Against more experienced opponents in the Champions League, their focus on playing out from the back has led to repeated problems. Over the first five matchdays, no team has faced more high turnovers than Juventus’ 62 (tied with RB Salzburg), nor conceded more shots from such situations (12, tied with Young Boys).
Although their last two European matches resulted in draws at Lille (1-1) and Aston Villa (0-0), Juventus have lost four of their last six home games in the Champions League, with only two wins. This streak dates back to 2022 and matches the number of defeats they suffered in the previous 40 home matches between October 2013 and December 2021.
To turn their fortunes around on Wednesday, Porto loanee Francisco Conceição could play a key role. He has completed 18 dribbles in four Champions League appearances this season, averaging 5.2 completed dribbles per 90 minutes – the highest recorded by a Juventus player in a single campaign since 2003-04 (minimum 300 minutes).
Juventus vs Manchester City: Head-to-Head
- Matches Played: 6
- Juventus Wins: 3
- Draws: 2
- Man City Wins: 1
Juventus and Manchester City have met six times previously in European competition. After suffering a 1-0 defeat in their first encounter in September 1976 (UEFA Cup), Juventus have remained unbeaten in the last five meetings, winning three and drawing two.
City’s current five-match winless streak against Juventus is their longest against any single opponent in major European competitions.
They also went five games without a win against Barcelona between 2014 and 2016. However, this will be the first time City face Juventus under Guardiola’s management.
Juventus vs Manchester City: Team News
Juventus – Team News
It was initially believed that versatile full-back Andrea Cambiaso would miss Wednesday’s game due to an ankle sprain, but the Italian was involved in training on Tuesday and appears to be in contention for the match.
Juventus, however, will be without long-term absentees Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal in defense. Nicolo Savona, who is back in action, could start at right-back.
Coach Thiago Motta will also have Dusan Vlahovic available after a three-week absence. The Serbian striker featured in the starting lineup against Bologna over the weekend.
Nico Gonzalez is a doubt for the match, while both Weston McKennie and Douglas Luiz are progressing in their recovery.
Juventus – Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Perin
- Defenders: Danilo, Gatti, Kalulu, Rouhi
- Midfielders: Locatelli, Fagioli, Koopmeiners
- Forwards: Weah, Vlahovic, Conceição
Manchester City – Team News
Manchester City are set to have both Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic in the squad for their clash against Juventus tonight.
Foden, who missed the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest and the draw with Crystal Palace due to bronchitis, returned to training on Tuesday and has been included in the squad for the trip to Turin.
Kovacic, who was expected to miss more time after picking up an injury during international duty in November, is also making a quicker-than-expected return. Having missed five matches, his inclusion provides a significant boost for City, as he was originally ruled out until later in December.
However, Guardiola will still have to field a makeshift defense with Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones all unavailable. Rico Lewis, sent off against Palace, will miss only domestic games, meaning he will be available to face Juventus. Josko Gvardiol will shift to center-back, with Lewis playing at full-back.
Ederson seems to have lost his starting role, so Stefan Ortega is expected to start again. Kevin De Bruyne, continuing to regain his rhythm, should also feature in the starting lineup.
Manchester City – Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Ortega
- Defenders: Walker, Dias, Gvardiol, Lewis
- Midfielders: Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne
- Forwards: Savinho, Matheus Nunes, Haaland
Juventus vs Manchester City: Match Prediction
Motta has certainly laid a strong foundation in Turin, but Juventus are still not a team capable of consistently breaking down the opposition’s press and maintaining sustained pressure. With some key players unavailable, their attack lacks the required spark, though Vlahovic’s return could provide a welcome boost.
Nevertheless, the new manager’s tactical setup will challenge a vulnerable City side, which has appeared especially fragile on the road this season.
While the match in Turin may lean towards a cautious affair, both teams have wide players who can provide moments of excitement. The outcome could hinge on these areas of the pitch.
The match could go either way, but we’ll back City’s experience to come through in the end.
Prediction: Juventus 1-2 Manchester City
When and Where to Watch Juventus vs Manchester City? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The UEFA Champions League 2024-25 match between Juventus and Manchester City will take place at Allianz Stadium in Turin, Italy. The match is set for December 12 at 1:30 am IST. It will be broadcast live on the Sony TEN Network and can be streamed online via Sony LIV.
Read More: UEFA Champions League 2024/25: Dortmund vs Barcelona – Preview & Prediction
FAQs
Will Andrea Cambiaso play against Manchester City?
Despite an ankle sprain, Cambiaso was involved in training on Tuesday and is likely to be available for the match but may not start possibly.
Is Dusan Vlahovic fit to play?
Yes, Vlahovic has returned from a three-week absence and started against Bologna, making him available for the clash with City.
Who is missing for Juventus?
Juventus will be without long-term absentees Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal in defense. Nico Gonzalez is also a doubt for the game.
Will Mateo Kovacic play for Manchester City?
Yes, Kovacic is back sooner than expected after an injury and has traveled with the squad to Turin.
What is the prediction for Juventus vs Manchester City?
The match is expected to be tight, but Manchester City’s experience is likely to see them prevail with a 2-1 win.
