Juventus v Real Madrid Betting Preview – UEFA Champions League 3rd April 7.45pm
A tough looking tie for Juventus to land, but they are actually looking a decent option to get something out of this first leg. They have home form against Spanish sides and they have won each of their last four two-legged contests against Real Madrid. The Old Lady will be out for revenge as Real Madrid got the better of them in last season’s UEFA Champions League Final. Juventus have to make it count at home.
Juventus News and Form
Juventus were left heartbroken in Cardiff ten months ago, losing the final 4-1 to Real Madrid. For the 18th time in their history, they are in the quarter finals of the European Cup (W12 D5) and they have a pretty strong record at this stage. They have decent form in two-legged ties against Spanish sides at W9 L6, and notably, they have won their last four duels with Real Madrid specifically in two-legged duels. Juventus beat Barcelona 3-0 on aggregate at the stage last season and held the Catalans to a draw in Turin in this season’s group stage. But they are without a win in their last four against Spanish sides now (D2 L2). They are however, unbeaten in their last seven European games (W4 D3), getting past Spurs in the last round in such dramatic fashion after looking out of the running.
Juventus have a lot of fight, a lot of substance and grit about them. They have match winners too. In the bet365 correct score market a 1-1 draw is at 5/1 odds* (Betting Odds taken at 11:37 p.m. on March 30th, 2018) and the shortest priced option available in it. Juve’s overall home record against Liga opposition is W15 D9 L2 and they are unbeaten in their last nine fixtures, losing just one of their last 25 home fixtures in Europe against Spanish sides. So that is a very strong record they can at least look at and take some confidence from. They are undefeated in 27 European home games now (W16 D11) and have suffered only the one reverse in their last 25 UEFA knockout stage games as well (W15 D9).
Real Madrid News and Form
Real Madrid are back in the quarter finals of the European Cup/Champions League for a record 35th time. They have prevailed in each of the last seven visits, this being their eighth season in a row of making it this far. Real Madrid have won their last five games against Italian opposition and overall in two-legged ties against Italian sides they are W12 L9. They failed to win on nine visits to Italy before snapping that sequence with a victory at Roma in the 2015/16 round of sixteen and then followed it up with a win over Napoli in their last trip there. Los Merengues are now W7 D4 in their last eleven games home and away against Serie A sides. Madrid’s overall record away to Italian clubs is W6 D8 L18.
Real Madrid are W3 L1 on their travels in the Champions League this season, the reverse happening in London against Tottenham in the group stage. They had a rough draw against PSG in the round of sixteen, a team priced up as favourites to win the tournament outright this season at one stage. But Real Madrid showed their character and stepped up to the plate, even though they rode their luck defensively at times and prevailed 5-2 on aggregate. Cristiano Ronaldo is the 7/2 first goalscorer favourite at bet365* (Betting Odds taken at 11:37 p.m. on March 30th, 2018) and he has scored in every Champions League played this season. Madrid have lost just two of their last 27 European fixtures (W19 D5). Their lack of clean sheets across all competition is really the only big concern about them.
Juventus v Real Madrid Head to Head
Of the last four two-legged ties in the UEFA Champions League between these two giants, it is Juventus who have come out on top in them, so they do have that going for them. They have the honour of being the last side to knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League, which happened in the in the 2014/15 semi-finals. Real Madrid narrowly leads the head to head with 9 wins to 8 (D2) from their previous meetings. But Real Madrid produced that 4-1 win over them in Cardiff last summer in the Final. That was their second Champions League final success against them.
Juventus v Real Madrid Betting Odds*
Real Madrid 6/4, Juventus 9/5, Draw 9/4* (Betting Odds taken at 11:37 p.m. on March 30th, 2018)
Juventus v Real Madrid Predictions
Real Madrid haven’t been good at the back all season and Juventus can make a fist of this. They are just a bit of value to go out and take the most of home advantage because they will know that this is their best chance of making it through. Juventus to win.
