Carlos Tevez is healthy and expected to be ready for Juventus in their first leg match against Monaco on Tuesday. (Getty)
Italian champions Juventus may have been looking ahead in their weekend match at lowly Parma. While it was Parma’s third straight game securing points, the Bianconeri can’t be happy about a 1-0 loss to the table dwellers.
Juventus were on a run before the weekend match, having won six straight matches in all competitions, including two wins over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League Round of 16.
Monaco haven’t been playing as well, especially after their Round of 16 match against Arsenal in which they almost let a 3-1 lead slip away. However, the French club will have one extra day of rest after having taken care of Caen 3-0 on Friday.
Monaco have not drawn in 14 straight road matches in all competitions, so expecting three points for either team would be the favorable prediction.
Juventus have taken care of business at home in Champions League play (and league play), with their only match not securing three points coming against Atletico Madrid. Monaco are a long shot in this matchup, but they also were in the last round against Arsenal. But lacking a dominant goal scorer could come back to haunt them sooner rather than later.
The Basics
Who:
What:
UEFA Champions League quarterfinals
When:
Tuesday, April 14
Where:
Juventus Stadium in Torino, Italy
Time:
2:45 p.m. Eastern Time
Channel:
FOX Soccer Plus (US) / Sky Sports (UK) / For those looking for the channel in your home country, click here
Odds:
Juventus 4/9, Monaco 7/1, Draw 16/5 (bet365);
Juventus -1 (-125), Monaco +1 (+110), draw +319 (5dimes)
Prediction:
Juventus lead the Serie A table by 14 points for a reason, despite what happened in their last match. They have 13 wins out of 15 home matches, scoring 36 goals and allowing only seven in those. Carlos Tevez didn’t play on Saturday, but he should be ready for this one. Andrea Pirlo should be available as well. Monaco have a great defense, but it won’t be enough here. Juventus 2-0.
Stats You Need to Know
Scouting Juventus (Champions League stats)
Last round: 5-1 aggregate vs. Borussia Dortmund
Coach: Massimiliano Allegri, 1st season
Leading Goal Scorer: Carlos Tevez, 6
Assist Leader: Paul Pogba, 2
Scouting Monaco
Last round: 3-3 aggregate vs. Arsenal (advanced on away goals)
Coach: Leonardo Jardim, 1st season
Leading Goal Scorer: 7 seven goals, 7 different players
Assist Leader: Joao Moutinho, 2
