Villarreal - Juventus, Picks and Tips
Villarreal, who have won half their games in the group stage (W3, D1, L2), head into their first UEFA Champions League (UCL) tie since 2008-09 full of confidence. However, the two defeats of the groguets in this edition occurred against a club with a better UEFA coefficient (Manchester United), and it remains to be seen how Unai Emery's team will perform against Juventus, two-time European champions. Armored ceramics: Villarreal has gone six official matches undefeated at their stadium (W4, D2), the most recent ending with a 0-0 win against Real Madrid, leader of LaLiga. In four of those games, the Yellow Submarine kept a clean sheet, something they also did in three of their four home wins in the UCL since they last beat an Italian club at the Estadio de la Cerámica (1- 0 vs Inter, April 2006).
For the eighth consecutive season, Juventus is playing in the qualifying rounds of the continental competition, and in the previous seven they have reached two finals. The Bianconeri reach the round of 16 top of Group H (W5, L1), having kept four clean sheets and recorded the highest percentage of possession in their two away wins. In Serie A, their away results since mid-November have been very positive (W4, D3), recording three 2-0 wins – winning both halves – during that period. Juve have also recorded three wins in their last five visits to Spanish clubs, although the Italian giants have lost their last three away games in their last 16. Players to watch: The Bianconeri defense will have to keep a special eye on Arnaut Danjuma, who scored a hat-trick at Granada's home ground last Saturday and scored a goal in each half in Villarreal's 3-2 away win over Atalanta (day 6). Weston McKennie scored the only goal in play with the ball in motion for Juventus in his last visit to a LaLiga team (Barcelona 0-3 Juve, December 2020). Featured series: Juventus have won each of the last 13 UCL games in which they have opened the scoring.
Our recommendation tip for Villarreal - Juventus: JUVENTUS TO WIN @ 3.10