The Matchday 1 clash in the Champions League 2025/26 group stage between Juventus (Italy) and Borussia Dortmund (Germany) will take place on September 16 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Juventus
The team secured their spot in the Champions League group stage by finishing fourth in the previous Italian championship. Since the 2012/13 season, Juventus has missed the main draw of this European competition only once. In last season's Champions League, the Turin side progressed through the group stage but were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by PSV (2:1, 1:2, extra time 0:1). Notably, they have won only two of their last eight matches in this tournament (3 draws, 3 losses). Additionally, Juventus has won 6 of their last 9 European clashes against Borussia Dortmund (1 draw, 2 losses). Moreover, the club has never lost in the first round of the Champions League group stage (6 wins, 3 draws).
- Juventus' uncompromising home run in the Champions League spans 26 matches (17 wins, 9 losses).
- The club has conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 7 of their last 8 home matches in this European competition.
- The team has not won in the second half in 5 of their last 6 home games in the Champions League (2 draws, 3 losses).
Predicted lineup for Juventus (3-4-3)
Michele Di Gregorio – Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Pierre Kalulu – João Mário, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, João Mário – Teun Koopmeiners, Jonathan David, Kenan Yildiz.
Midfielder Fabio Miretti and forward Francisco Conceição will miss the match due to injuries. Defender Gleison Bremer's participation is also in doubt.
Borussia Dortmund
The team finished fourth in the previous German championship, earning a spot in the Champions League group stage. This marks Borussia Dortmund's tenth consecutive season in the main draw of this European competition, with their best achievement during this period being a final appearance in 2024, where they lost 0-2 to Real Madrid. In last season's Champions League, Dortmund reached the quarter-finals, where they were defeated by Barcelona (0:4, 3:1). It's worth noting that the team has suffered only one defeat in their last seven matches in this tournament (4 wins, 2 draws). Additionally, Borussia has won only one of their last seven away European matches against Serie A teams (1 draw, 5 losses).
- Exactly three goals were scored in regular time in 5 of Borussia's last 7 away matches in the Champions League.
- The team scored at least twice in 90 minutes in 5 of their last 7 away games in this European competition.
- Dortmund has not conceded in the first half in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Borussia Dortmund (3-4-3)
Gregor Kobel – Julian Ryerson, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini – Yan Couto, Felix Nmecha, Jude Bellingham, Daniel Svensson – Carney Chukwuemeka, Sehrou Guirassy, Maximilian Bayer.
Defenders Aaron Anselmino, Niklas Süle, Emre Can, and Nico Schlotterbeck, as well as forward Fabio Silva, will not play due to injuries.
Referee
François Letexier (France)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 71;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.7;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 40%.
Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund: Match Prediction
At home, Juventus tends to play an attacking style, focusing on creating opportunities. This approach allows them to score regularly: in their last 15 home matches in the Champions League, the team failed to find the net only three times, and in eight instances during this period, they scored at least twice. However, in 8 of their last 9 home games in this European competition, the club has failed to keep a clean sheet.
Borussia also favors an active attacking play and rarely struggles to break down opponents' defenses, even away from home: in their last 12 away matches in the Champions League, the Germans failed to score only once. In six matches during this period, the team scored at least two goals. However, Dortmund's defense is not always reliable: in their last 23 away matches in this tournament, Borussia has kept a clean sheet only five times.
I expect both teams to score in this encounter, and my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
