'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Juventus are set to play hosts to Barcelona at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday in a highly-anticipated UEFA Champions League group stage encounter.
Juventus come into this game following a 1-1 draw against Hellas Verona in Serie A on Sunday. Former Juventus striker Andrea Favili scored for Verona, only to be pegged back by a goal from Sweden international Dejan Kulusevski as the spoils were shared.
Barcelona, on the other hand, lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the latest edition of El Clasico on Saturday in La Liga. Goals from Uruguay international Federico Valverde, captain and centre-back Sergio Ramos and veteran midfielder Luka Modric sealed an important win for Zinedine Zidane's men.
Prodigious youngster Ansu Fati scored the consolation goal for Barcelona.
Juventus vs Barcelona Head-to-Head
In six head-to-head encounters between the two sides, Barcelona hold the clear advantage. They have won three games, lost one and drawn two.
The two clubs last faced each other way back in 2017 in the Champions League group stages. The match ended in a goalless draw at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus form guide in Serie A: W-D-W-D-D
Barcelona form guide in La Liga: W-W-D-L-L
Juventus vs Barcelona Team News
Juventus have a few issues to contend with. Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for coronavirus for the second time, and will be unavailable. Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is yet to make an appearance this season due to a shoulder injury, and he remains sidelined for the time being.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini and Brazilian left-back Alex Sandro are doubts.
Injured: Matthijs de Ligt
Doubtful: Giorgio Chiellini, Alex Sandro
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Cristiano Ronaldo
Meanwhile, Barcelona will be without the services of German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, centre-back Samuel Umtiti and Brazil international Philippe Coutinho, who picked up an injury against Real Madrid at the weekend. Veteran centre-back Gerard Pique is suspended.
Injured: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Samuel Umtiti, Philippe Coutinho
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Gerard Pique
Juventus vs Barcelona Predicted XI
Juventus Predicted XI (4-4-2): Wojciech Szczesny, Juan Cuadrado, Leonardo Bonucci, Merih Demiral, Danilo, Dejan Kulusevski, Rodrigo Bentancur, Adrien Rabiot, Federico Chiesa, Paulo Dybala, Alvaro Morata
Barcelona Predicted XI (4-4-2): Neto, Sergino Dest, Ronald Araujo, Clement Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Francisco Trincao, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Antoine Griezmann, Ansu Fati, Lionel Messi
Juventus vs Barcelona Prediction
Juventus are yet to establish an identity under the management of Andrea Pirlo, and the results have been erratic so far. The absence of Cristiano Ronaldo could prove to be crucial, but the likes of Alvaro Morata and Paulo Dybala could cause problems to the haphazardly-constructed Barcelona defence.
Ronald Koeman's Barcelona will miss centre-back Gerard Pique, while backup option Samuel Umtiti is also injured. Youngster Ronald Araujo looks set to start, while the poor form of Sergio Busquets and Antoine Griezmann are points of concern.
Juventus might not be performing at their very best, but should be able to edge past Barcelona at home in this Champions League encounter.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Barcelona
Also Read: Steve McClaren: Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes needs to 'get his head up'
