The top two sides in Champions League Group H face off at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in what looks to be an intriguing clash (on Paramount+) for Chelsea in particular. Do the reigning European champions play it safe and guarantee themselves the point that will see them reach the knockout stages or do they gamble for all three in the hope of knocking Juventus off the top spot?
Massimiliano Allegri’s side emerged victorious last time these two met and are already guaranteed their place in the last 16. Though consistency has been hard to come by for Juve this season back-to-back wins and clean sheets in Serie A have the Bianconeri traveling to London on a high. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
Viewing information
- Date: Tuesday, Nov. 23 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Stamford Bridge — London
- TV and live stream: Paramount+
- Odds: Chelsea -154; Draw +275; Juventus +450 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Storylines
Chelsea: Should the Blues find themselves all square with Juventus late on Tuchel might have the perfect weapon on the substitutes’ bench in Romelu Lukaku, who his manager says could be available to play an impact role after missing a month with an ankle injury. The question is whether it is worth gambling for a win that could take them top of the group when a defeat might set up a final day shoot out for second place between them and Zenit in December. A passing knowledge of history suggests that getting a result in the Russian winter is beyond many a great general.
As such Tuchel has indicated he might just play it a little safe if matters are all square late on. “Later in the game, if the scoresheet is a draw, we will maybe not allow [goalkeeper Edouard Mendy] to go into the opponents’ box when we have a late corner because we will not risk our qualification and go all-in,” said the Chelsea manager. “But until this moment we will try everything to win the game and to have a chance to do that, we have to win the game.”
Juventus: Injuries threaten to derail Allegri’s attempts to build momentum after encouraging wins over Lazio and Fiorentina. Giorgio Chiellini, Aaron Ramsey and Danilo are among those who did not make the trip to London whilst whatever impact Paulo Dybala can make on this contest may come as a substitute rather than from the off.
He may be without the Argentine from the off but Allegri will hope that a return to Stamford Bridge and a club where he struggled to prove himself may bring the best out of Alvaro Morata, who could be vying with Moise Kean for the right to lead the Juventus line. “We need to improve our conversion rate,” warned the Juve boss. “We create important situations but we are still making mistakes in the final third.
“Either Kean or Morata will play. Or maybe both will be given a chance. Both did well against Lazio.”
Prediction
Chelsea’s form has swung up a level in recent weeks and they will be determined to make a statement after their defeat last time out. PICK: Chelsea 2, Juventus 0