Real Madrid vs. Juventus – Champions League Match Preview, Estadio Santiago Bernabu, Madrid Spain 2:45 PM EST Wednesday October 23, 2013
By Jason Green, Soccer Handicapper, Predictem.com
Match Odds: Real Madrid 1.53 / Juventus 4.00 / Draw 6.00
Moneyline: Real Madrid -188 / Juventus +500 / Draw +300
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
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NOTE: Each of these teams play a match this weekend in their respective domestic leagues before this Champions League match.
In a big match of soccer powerhouses Real Madrid hosts Juventus in Group B match. Real is in first place with 2 wins in 2 matches and while Juve is in 2nd place they only have 2 points with 2 draws. FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray each have 1 point.
Juve has been the big betting favorite in both of their CL matches, but are big underdogs in this one in the Spanish capital.
While Juventus is playing great in Italy Serie A with no losses, as of October 18th, their 2 draws in CL play have been a surprise. If they lose this match and there is a winner in the Galatasaray vs. FC Copenhagen then the Italian giants will be in 3rd place with some serious work to do in order to advance to the knockout phase.
To say this match is big is an understatement, as Juve manager Antonio Conte recently stated, “It’s a massive test for us. We’re facing a club who really want this title, because of their history and their hunt for a tenth European Cup. I think it will be a nice challenge for us to go and measure ourselves up to them at the Santiago Bernabeu as well as at home.”
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Real Madrid sits in 3rd place in the Spain La Liga table and their offense has been solid with 17 goals in 8 matches. However, their offense has been stellar in Champions League play scoring 10 goals in 2 matches.
It is no secret that the Juve defense will have their hands full, especially facing Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads all Champions League scorers (5 goals) and had a hat trick in Real’s first CL match. He and Karim Benzema are potent force up front and Juve have to keep them in check.
Juve has scored 5 goals in their last 2 matches, but their defense has conceded 4 goals. The team has played well, but is still gelling with the new additions of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.
Arturo Vidal and Tevez lead the team in goals with 6 and they face a Real defense that has only conceded 1 goal in their first 2 Champions League matches.
Juventus has won the time of possession battle in both of their CL matches and they cannot let an attacking Real team do that. MF Andrea Pirlo has shoed he still has a lot of gas left in his tank and his play in the midfield will be key in this match. Juve has got many chances in their matches in the CL, but are not converting, which they must do in this match.
Real will come out attacking, as usual, and G Gianluigi Buffon and the Juve defense must play well out of the gates. They cannot allow Ronaldo to get out on the wings and they have to clog the passing lanes in the middle of the field.
Tevez and company will have to find a way to score, as Ronaldo will score at least 1 goal in this match.
Juventus Recent Form
9/22/2013 Juventus 2 Hellas Verona 1 (Serie A)
9/25/2013 Chievo Verona 1 Juventus 2 (Serie A)
9/29/2013 Torino 0 Juventus 1 (Serie A)
10/2/2013 Juventus 2 Galatasaray 2 (Champions League)
10/6//2013 Juventus 3 AC Milan 2 (Serie A)
Real Madrid Recent Form
9/22/2013 Real Madrid 4 Getafe 1 (La Liga)
9/25/2013 Elche 1 Real Madrid 2 (La Liga)
9/28/2013 Real Madrid 0 Atletico Madrid 1 (La Liga)
10/2/2013 Real Madrid 4 FC Copenhagen 0 (Champions League)
10/5/2013 Levante 2 Real Madrid 3 (La Liga)
Jason’s Pick to Win the Match: I think Juve will play good defense in this match and I do not think this match will have a ton of goals. However, with Real in form and at home I have to go with them, as they will win this match 2-1.