Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
Juventus and Manchester City are in a precarious tournament situation, forcing both teams to be cautious in their head-to-head clash. A loss in the sixth round could see both the Turin side and the Manchester team drop out of the top 24 in the overall stage. Maintaining their current positions is crucial, especially as opportunities to reach the top eight may arise next year.
Juventus
After a triumphant return to the Champions League with victories over PSV Eindhoven (3:1) and RB Leipzig (3:2), all the attacking flair displayed by Juventus under Thiago Motta seems to have vanished. In their last three European outings, Juventus failed to hit over 2.5 individual total—scoring just once in that spell. Away against Aston Villa (0:0), they managed a mere 0.39 xG, with only two shots on target. Moreover, a series of injuries is forcing the coaching staff to rotate the squad, favouring a defensive approach.
Manchester City
It appears Manchester City have not fully recovered from their thrashing of Nottingham Forest (3:0). Over the weekend, the team immediately dropped points in the Premier League against Crystal Palace (2:2)—a side from the lower half of the table. In the fifth round of the Champions League, they squandered a three-goal lead against Feyenoord (3:3). After such results, Manchester City are likely to abandon their high-press strategy. It's likely that Phil Foden will miss the trip to Turin, which would significantly dent their attacking potential.
Juventus vs Manchester City Prediction
Clearly, Juventus and Manchester City both boast exceptional squads, yet their line-ups and morale are far from optimal. The two giants are expected to approach this encounter cautiously.
