The Champions League semi-final second leg between Juventus and Monaco takes place on Tuesday night, with the Italian champions very much in control of the tie.
In a classic Juventus performance, Max Allegri’s team soaked up everything Monaco had to throw at them and enjoyed hitting them on the break. Gonzalo Higuain scored two lovely goals, the first following a flowing move from inside Juventus’ own half, to win the match 2-0.
Monaco know they need to score at least 2 goals in Turin, to stand any chance of taking the match to extra-time and need 3 goals if they are to win the tie inside 90 minutes. It’s a big ask, at one of the most difficult places to play in Europe.
Juventus vs. Monaco
Champions League – Tuesday 9th May 2017 – 8:45pm
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Draw Best Odd of: 29/10 at Ladbrokes |
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Juventus
MonacoJuventus Form
Juventus are in excellent form and have lost just 1 of their previous 24 matches in all competitions this season. The defeat came at Napoli in the Coppa Italia, the one trophy Juventus would be happy to concede if meant completing the Serie A and Champions League double.
At home, Juventus have proven extremely tough to beat in recent years and they are yet to taste defeat at home in any competition this season. You must go back to September 2015 to find the last time they lost a home match.
In the Champions League, the Bianconeri are undefeated at home this season, winning 3 and drawing 2 of their 5 games. Juventus have lost just 1 of their previous 23 games at home in the Champions League and this underlines the task facing Monaco on Tuesday night.
Monaco Form
Monaco responded well to the defeat in the first leg, by going away to Nancy in Ligue 1 on the weekend and winning the match 3-0.
Leonardo Jardim’s team are 3 points clear of PSG in Ligue 1, with a game in hand and are enjoying a tremendous season, regardless of the outcome in this tie. Monaco love nothing more than to attack teams and that’s exactly what they must do if they are to turn things around.
Monaco need to score 2 or more goals and this is something they have achieved in 11 of their previous 16 away games in all competitions. However, they have also conceded in 12 of those games, which could prove to be a problem in Turin.
Team News – Monaco Need a Miracle in Turin
Juventus can welcome back Sami Khedira to the midfield, who returns after serving a suspension in the first leg. Having rested many of his preferred starting XI on the weekend, Juventus should be at full strength for this game.
Monaco are waiting on the fitness of full-back Benjamin Mendy, who missed the first leg. If he fails to recover in time, Nabil Dirar will continue at right-back and the starting XI is unlikely to be changed from the first leg.
Top Betting Tips:
Juventus come into this match as the clear favourites to win, especially given their home record and this is reflected in the odds of 4/6 with Ladbrokes. Monaco are out at 5/1 to win the match with Betfair.
A strong defence has been the key to Juventus’ progress this season and they have kept 6 clean sheets in a row in the Champions League. You can get 15/8 at Ladbrokes for Juventus to win this game to nil.
Monaco have no choice but to attack in this match and the importance of getting the first goal will not be lost on Jardim. If Monaco can get the first goal, it will change the whole atmosphere inside the stadium. Ladbrokes offer 2/1 for Monaco to grab the first goal.
However, even if Monaco were to find the back of the net, you cannot bet against Juventus at home and you can get 12/5 with Ladbrokes for Juventus to win and both teams to score.