The already-qualified Juventus visit Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday night vying to secure top spot in Group H.
Massimiliano Allegri produced a masterclass in the reverse fixture as an undermanned Bianconeri outfought and outwitted a lifeless Blues 1-0 on Matchday 2. That win was one of four they’ve accumulated in the group thus far, meaning they sit atop Group H with the maximum 12 points.
Should they avoid defeat at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, Juve will qualify for the round of 16 as group winners.
Their task, however, is a hugely difficult one. Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea head into the midweek contest fresh off one of their most convincing victories of the season away at Leicester City. The European champions currently hold a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League and they could welcome big-money summer arrival Romelu Lukaku back to the squad for Tuesday.
Juventus, though, will be buoyed by, arguably, their most controlled Serie A performance of the campaign thus far as they beat Lazio 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Here’s our preview of Tuesday’s heavyweight bout in Group H.
How to Watch Chelsea vs Juventus
When is kick-off? Tuesday 23 November
What time is kick-off? 20:00 (BST)
Where is it played? Stamford Bridge
TV channel/live stream? BT Sport 2 (UK), Paramount+ (US)
Chelsea Team News
Romelu Lukaku is back in contention for the Blues after missing a month of action with an ankle injury. The Belgian’s unlikely to start on his potential return, but he could earn some minutes off the bench.
Mateo Kovacic is out with a hamstring injury.
Reece James, N’Golo Kante and Callum Hudson-Odoi were either absent or started on the bench in the reverse fixture but are all expected to start on Tuesday. The trio have been superb for Chelsea as of late.
Juventus Team News
Danilo was added to Juventus’ long injury list after he was stretchered off in the victory over Lazio. The full extent of the injury is not yet known, but there’s no chance he’ll be playing on Tuesday.
Federico Bernardeschi, Giorgio Chiellini and Mattia De Sciglio are all out due to injury, while Aaron Ramsey is unlikely to make the trip to London.
Paulo Dybala, meanwhile, wasn’t in the squad for Saturday with a minor calf problem and it remains to be seen whether he’ll be fit enough to play some part against the European champions.
Moise Kean could earn a rare start amid Alvaro Morata’s woes.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Mendy; Christensen, Silva, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kante, Chilwell; Hudson-Odoi, Havertz, Pulisic.
Juventus: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, Pellegrini; Kulusevski, Locatelli, Bentancur, Rabiot; Chiesa, Morata.
Chelsea’s Recent Form
Leicester City 0-3 Chelsea (20/11) – Premier League
Chelsea 1-1 Burnley (06/11) – Premier League
Malmo 0-1 Chelsea (02/11) – Champions League
Newcastle 0-3 Chelsea (30/10) – Premier League
Chelsea 1-1 (4-3p) Southampton (26/10) – EFL Cup
Juventus’ Recent Form
Lazio 0-2 Juventus (20/11) – Serie A
Juventus 1-0 Fiorentina (06/11) – Serie A
Juventus 4-2 Zenit (02/11) – Champions League
Hellas Verona 2-1 Juventus (30/10) – Serie A
Juventus 1-2 Sassuolo (27/10) – Serie A
Prediction
Juventus successfully blocked space and countered against Chelsea last time out, but the Blues’ added dynamism at wing-back combined with newfound craft in attacking areas means the Bianconeri have their work cut out if they’re to repeat that gameplan.
In Ben Chilwell (who started on the bench in Turin) and Reece James (who was absent), Chelsea have potent threats out wide capable of destroying Allegri’s Plan A.
Tuchel’s all-encompassing system will limit the number of transition moments the visitors enjoy, and their proficient counter-press is poised to suffocate a Juventus side that have only recently started to look more adept in possession. This is such a tough game for the Old Lady, especially if they’re without Paulo Dybala.
Overall, I can envisage Juve defending their box admirably for the most part, but they’ll struggle to transition or retain possession. Eventually, sustained Chelsea pressure will tell.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Juventus