Juventus will play hosts to Chelsea in probably one of the most important group games the clubs have played in the Champion’s League for a while.
Group E consisting of Chelsea, Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Nordjaelland is a Group that is wide open. A victory is a bare minimum that each of the teams will be looking at, as a result going the other way could practically end their chances of progressing.
Chelsea enters this game at the top of Group E, joint on points with Shakhtar Donetsk each with seven points. Juventus is in third spot with six points with FC Nordjaelland already out of the reckoning with one point.
A victory will take Chelsea to the magical number ten points which usually proves to be a cushion and sends teams through to the next round, but a slip in this game could see them falling to third spot if Shakhtar Donetsk beats FC Nordjaelland and send Juventus to second with nine points.
Blues manager Roberto De Matteo has said that he is contemplating to start the game without Spanish star Fernando Torres after he has a team meeting to check each player’s condition. If Torres sits out, Daniel Sturrdige may get a starting berth.
Chelsea will be without Captain John Terry and veteran Frank Lampard. Though, Ashley Cole should return after being an unused substitute in the defeat to West Brom last weekend.
Juventus were held to a 0-0 draw by Lazio over the weekend. A major worry for the Italian outfit are their injury concerns, Mirko Vucinic has been absent with a knock since the defeat to Inter, while Paolo De Cegile is still regaining match fitness.
Andrea Pirlo will return to the starting line-up after sitting out the weekend’s game due to suspension, Paul Pogba former Manchester United midfielder will make way for the veteran.
Sebastian Giovinco who is going through a rough patch may get one last chance to prove himself in this all important game. There are other strikers waiting in the line-up to get a chance to prove themselves but the agility and speed for Giovinco is the reason he may be given another chance.
All to play for in this all important fixture; do tune in to catch live action at the Torino, on 20th November, 2012 at 1945 GMT.
Our prediction: Juventus 2-0 Chelsea