Free betting tips and match preview: Champions League - Juventus v Lyon

Recommended bets

1pt Bruno Guimaraes 4+ Tackles at 6/5

1pt Under 2.5 Goals at 10/9

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record

Juventus v Lyon (0-1 agg)

• 2000 kick-off on BT Sport 2
• Latest odds: Home 4/9 | Draw 7/2 | Away 6/1

Juventus began the restarted Serie A season superbly, but since winning their opening four post-lockdown matches they've been in dreadful form. Two wins, two draws and four defeats saw them limp their way to a ninth successive league title.

While there has plenty of criticism aimed at Maurizio Sarri and whether his style of play is suited to star man Cristiano Ronaldo, the problem during this wretched run has been clear for all to see - just one clean sheet in 10 matches.

They now face a Lyon side who have played just one competitive fixture since March, defeat on penalties against Paris Saint-Germain after a goalless draw in the last ever French League Cup final, following the curtailment of the Ligue 1 campaign.

Yes, there was an enormous gap in between, but their most recent clean sheet was a seventh in 10 matches.

Despite Juve's names of Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala, I simply cannot back them to overturn a 1-0 deficit when their recent performances are coupled with the defensive record of Rudi Garcia's team. The Italian champions are heavy odds-on to qualify, so Lyon to qualify at 17/16 offers good value in my book.

In a game I can't see being anything other than cagey, given that a Lyon goal would require Juve to score three, I'm surprised to see Under 2.5 Goals at 10/9.

Although it's been a rarity in recent Juventus matches (only twice in 11 matches) it could be a sensible shout given the match context, and Lyon's tendency to be involved in low-scoring games. Eight of their past 10 have seen Under 2.5 Goals - the two exceptions have been matches against PSG, but as mentioned their most recent meeting was goalless after 120 minutes. It also covers the possibility of a home 2-0 win, which would shock no-one.

One thing I'm fairly certain of is that Lyon will be doing plenty of defending. One man who'll be tasked with that responsibility is central midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. Since the Brazilian joined in January, only once in his six appearances has he made fewer than three tackles and more than half the time he has made at least four.

Guimaraes 4+ Tackles at 6/5 sticks out to me.

Score prediction: Juventus 1-1 Lyon (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)

Best bets:

• 1pt Bruno Guimaraes 4+ Tackles at 6/5
• 1pt Under 2.5 Goals at 10/9

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