MX23RW : Tuesday, August 25 03:45:52| >> :600:105122:105122:
Dec 11, 2019 at 8pm UK at BayArena
Attendance: 29,542
B. LeverkusenBayer Leverkusen
0-2
Juventus
FT(HT: 0-0)
Ronaldo (75'), Higuain (92')

Preview: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Juventus - predictions, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews the Champions League clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Juventus travel to Germany to face Bayer Leverkusen in the knowledge that they have already secured their spot as winners of Champions League Group D.

Leverkusen are just one point behind second-placed Atletico Madrid in the group and a win, combined with the La Liga side dropping points against Lokomotiv Moscow, would see them advance to the knockout stages.


Match Preview

Cristiano Ronaldo in action for Juventus on October 1, 2019© Reuters

Bayer Leverkusen will hoping to continue their fine recent form and claim an unlikely victory over a Juventus side with nothing to play for to give themselves the best possible chance of progressing from the group.

The German outfit have won their last three in a row and are unbeaten in six games across all competitions, losing just one of their last nine.

Leverkusen are sixth in the Bundesliga, but are just one point behind third-placed Borussia Dortmund, having lost just three of their 14 league games so far.

The reverse fixture in Turin ended in a comfortable 3-0 victory for Juventus, who will be hoping for more of the same as they look to bounce back from their shock 3-1 defeat against Lazio last time out.

However, the Serie A side's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in their last Champions League outing secured their spot as group winners, meaning they have nothing riding on Wednesday's fixture.

As a result, Maurizio Sarri may well rotate his starting lineup in Germany, giving Leverkusen an opportunity to capitalise on what could be a weakened team.

Juventus' defeat in Rome leaves them two points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan and the former Chelsea and Napoli boss may well look to prioritise the Bianconeri's next league outing against Udinese.

Additionally, the loss to Lazio was their first defeat of any kind this season and the Juventus squad will be keen to offer a swift response to the shock result.

Bayer Leverkusen Champions League form: LLLWW
Bayer Leverkusen form (all competitions): WWDWWW

Juventus Champions League form: DWWWW
Juventus form (all competitions): WWWWDL


Team News

Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri gestures against Atletico Madrid on September 18, 2019© Reuters

Juventus boss Sarri is limited by a handful of injury concerns but will likely rotate anyway for what is a dead-rubber fixture for his side.

Midfielder Sami Khedira and winger Douglas Costa are both definitely out with knee and hamstring injuries, respectively.

Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey and Rodrigo Bentancur are both doubts and are unlikely to be risked.

For Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz, Mitchell Weiser and Joel Pohjanpalo are both sidelined with injury, while Nadiem Amiri is suspended.

Aside from that trio, however, they have a fully-fit squad to choose from.

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; L. Bender, Tah, S. Bender, Wendell; Aranguiz, Baumgartlinger; Bellarabi, Havertz, Bailey; Volland

Juventus possible starting lineup:
Buffon; Cuadrado, Rugani, Demiral, De Sciglio; Matuidi, Pjanic, Rabiot; Bernardeschi; Higuain, Ronaldo


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We say: Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Juventus

Had Juventus not just suffered their first defeat of the season, it would have been more feasible that the reigning Serie A champions could stumble in what is a dead-rubber fixture for them. However, Sarri's side will be eager to respond to losing and can be expected to approach this game with far more vigour than they would have originally. Unfortunately for Leverkusen, that could see their dreams of leapfrogging Atletico into second and progressing to the knockout stages dashed.


ID:382356:

Who will win Wednesday's Champions League clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus?

Bayer Leverkusen
Draw
Juventus
Bayer Leverkusen
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Juventus
0.0%
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CJuventus38265776433383
2Inter Milan382410481364582
3Atalanta BCAtalanta38239698485078
4Lazio38246879423778
5Roma382171077512670
6AC Milan371891059451463
7Napoli381881261501162
8SassuoloSassuolo38149156963651
9Hellas VeronaHellas Verona381213134751-449
10Fiorentina381213135148349
11Parma38147175657-149
12Bologna381211155265-1347
13Udinese38129173751-1445
14CagliariCagliari381112155256-445
15Sampdoria37126194761-1442
16Torino38117204668-2240
17Genoa38109194773-2639
RLecce3898215285-3335
RBrescia3867253579-4425
RSPALSPAL3855282777-5020

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