Two teams with form concerns square off in Italy as Juventus host Manchester City in Champions League action on Wednesday.
Man City have won just one of their last nine games across all competitions, and while Pep Guardiola has put the first five-match losing streak of his managerial career in the rear view mirror, there are still significant issues with their Champions League aspirations. City sit 20th in the league phase table, just a point above the elimination zone.
Juventus are right there with them, level on eight points and sitting two places behind thanks to a weaker differential.
Thus, there's an air of desperation in Turin as these two teams clash, with both sides aware that time is running out to keep themselves in the conversation.
MORE: How to watch Juventus vs. Man City in Champions League league phase
Juventus vs. Man City prediction, odds
- Moneyline lean: Draw (+250 on BetMGM)
- Score prediction: Juventus 1-1 Man City
Neither side has managed to allay fears of a turn for the worst in recent weeks. Man City's worst run is behind them, at least for the moment, but their latest draw with Crystal Palace saw their biggest concerns crop up yet again. Chief amongst them is the lack of a capable replacement for Rodri, with Rico Lewis failing to impress as he was poor defensively and sent off late.
Juve, meanwhile, have slumped to four straight draws across all competitions, the latest requiring a late Samuel Mbanguala equalizer in stoppage time just to draw level. Dusan Vlahovic continues to struggle in front of goal as he looks more and more like a bust, and they can't seem to put positive performances together at the front and back.
A stalemate is possible as neither team wishes to see themselves fall behind the other in the race. They'll both be happy with the point.
MORE: Predictions and best bets for Arsenal vs. Monaco in Champions League
| BetMGM (USA) | |
| Juventus win | +290 |
| Draw | +250 |
| Man City win | -110 |
| Both teams to score | Y: -130 N: -110 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals | O: -115 U: -120 |
| Man City -1.5 goals | -120 |
| Juventus +1.5 goals | -120 |
Juventus vs. Man City match facts
- Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
- Kickoff Time: 8 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
- Location: Allianz Stadium (Turin, Italy)
- Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)
- Last meeting: Juventus 1-0 Man City (Nov. 25, 2015 | Champions League)
MORE: All the latest Man City news | A complete guide to betting on soccer in the United States
Juventus vs. Man City best bet
- Pick: Under 2.5 total goals
- Odds: -120 (BetMGM)
Manchester City's biggest defensive issue in this poor run of form is not that they've given up a ton of chances — rather, the chances they do concede have been of higher quality than usual. Thankfully, they are up against one of the least efficient teams in Europe in Juventus.
Thiago Motta's side have put just 30 percent of their their efforts on target, fourth-worst in the Champions League and worst amongst the Big 5 clubs. Additionally, their 0.11 xG/shot average has them only ahead of PSG, Stuttgart, Aston Villa, and Bologna of the Big 5 sides. Juventus don't get a ton of shots off (57, eighth-worst in the Champions League) and those they do aren't good quality. Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez barely had to lift a finger in Juve's last UCL game, a 0-0 draw with just two shots on target by the Italians.
On the other end, Man City do have a volume issue, and those two problems for both sides should combine to result in a low-scoring affair regardless of who comes out on top.
Juventus vs. Man City prop bet
- Pick: Teun Koopmeiners 2+ total shots
- Odds: +100 on FanDuel
One in-form Juventus player will be poised to take advance of Manchester City's biggest hole — the lack of a competent defensive midfielder.
Teun Koopmeiners has hit a stride, bagging a goal contribution in each of his last two Serie A matches plus a goal for the Netherlands in the November international break. He is averaging 1.5 shots per match in the Champions League this season, and that number is even better in Serie A play, with 1.7 efforts per game.
While his +400 mark to score anytime (+340 mark to score or assist a goal) are enticing, it's hard to trust Juventus finding the net at this point, and therefore we are instead behind their most in-form attacker's efforts to make something happen in the final third.
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