Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
Ahead of their trip to face Lille, Juventus lead the underdogs only on tiebreakers, both teams having accumulated six points after three opening rounds. In France, the Turin side will need to showcase their attacking prowess, with a decent chance to secure a top-eight finish, which would guarantee an automatic berth in the Round of 16.
Lille
Lille's solid form may be masking some underlying issues within the team. In Friday's clash with Olympique Lyonnais (1:1), they squandered a winning position—their opponents justifiably snatched a draw, creating far more opportunities after the break (0.30 vs 1.03 in xG and 3-11 in shots). It seems injuries are taking a toll on Lille; Hákon Haraldsson, Tiago Santos, Ismaily Gonçalves, Angel Gomes, Rémy Cabella, and Rafael Fernandes remain sidelined.
Juventus
Juventus made a strong return to the Champions League with victories over PSV Eindhoven (3:1) and RB Leipzig (3:2). Their defeat to Stuttgart (0:1) served as a valuable lesson, prompting the Turin side to adopt an aggressive approach in their following three Serie A fixtures. Inter Milan (4:4), Parma (2:2), and Udinese (2:0) all faced a barrage of attacks from Juventus, with substitutions being utilised effectively.
Lille vs Juventus Prediction
Lille’s successful away win against Atlético Madrid (3:1) was fortuitous given the xG figures (1.39 vs 2.19). At home against a motivated Juventus, Lille are likely to pay the price for their defensive lapses, as the Turinians have found their stride.
