Juventus travel to Old Trafford to play Manchester United on Tuesday night. The Bianconeri are a perfect six points for six in the Champions League and could practically wrap up Group H with a win.
Manchester United sit second in Group H with four points. After hammering Young Boys, 3-0, on matchday 1, Jose Mourinho’s team were wholly ineffective against Valencia in their second game. That fixture ended nil-nil and the Red Devils need points to stave off Valencia from overtaking them in the group.
Neither Juventus nor Manchester United have conceded a goal in Group H. The two sides have played solid defence. Juventus haven’t completely clicked in front of goal. Juventus needed two penalties from Miralem Pjanic to see off Valencia in their first match while Paulo Dybala’s hat-trick upended Young Boys.
The Italians will need a much more rounded performances at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the side following a suspension that kept him out of matchday 2 against Young Boys.
Mourinho’s team are coming off of a 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the weekend. The Red Devils threw away a second half lead and allowed a 96th minute equaliser. The match has been called the ‘game of the year’, but that is little consolation for Mourinho as the Red Devils sit in 10th place.
Massimiliano Allegri’s team has been labeled the best to ever play at Juventus. It is a bold claim, but it may not be too far off the mark. Like Manchester United, Juventus lost points at the weekend. However, the Bianconeri are in a position in which one or two points won’t make a difference in their title bid.
The two clubs haven’t met in the Champions League since 2003. There is no recent history to go on for the fixture. Juventus are major sportsbooks’ favourite going into the fixture. Midfielder Emre Can is the only Juventus player expected to miss the match. Can is suffering from an illness that will keep him out of action. Manchester United will be without Jesse Lingard as he recovers from an abductor muscle tear.
Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford is the big news going into the match. The forward will relish being back at the famous ground and it is likely he will put in a big performance. Ronaldo always rises to the occasions and Tuesday night should be no different. Ronaldo and Juventus will win the Group F showdown and solidify their place atop the group.