Juventus vs Lyon: Match Preview & Predictions

Juventus manager, Maurizio Sarri, has insisted his job is safe at the club, even if they don’t overtun a 1-0 deficit to Lyon in the Champions League on Friday.

Earlier this month, Sarri led the Turin club to a ninth successive Serie A title. However, Juventus lost four of their 12 matches after the restart.

Sarri is aware that despite the domestic dominance, the true test for any Juve coach comes in the Champions League, which they have not won since 1996.

“I don’t think it will be my last match,” Sarri told reporters on Thursday, when asked if he thought he would be axed if the team is eliminated.

“I think I’m dealing with top-level managers they’re not amateurs. They’ve already made their evaluations, independently of the result tomorrow. This question implies that the managers are fans and that they merely follow the emotional wave.”

Sarri has two more years left on his current contract with the Italian champions.

Maurizio Sarri’s men went down to a Lucas Tousart goal in the first leg way back in February, their first defeat of the Champions League campaign.

Nevertheless, they are clear 4/9 (1.44) favourites with bet365 to return to bounce back by coming out on top on home turf

Last Friday’s Coupe de la Ligue final penalty shootout defeat against PSG was Les Gones’ first competitive match since March, and they are 13/2 (7.50) outsiders to blow off the cobwebs with a shock win here.

The visitors claimed a creditable 1-1 draw in their last visit to this stadium back in 2016, and you can get odds of 7/2 (4.50) on them booking a place in the quarter-finals by holding out for a stalemate once again.

Paulo Dybala will face a late fitness test as he recovers from a thigh injury, while Matteo De Sciglio and Douglas Costa are both ruled out.

Youssouf Kone is injured and Kenny Tete and Marcelo both doubtful, although Memphis Depay is available once again after missing the first leg due to injury.

Despite extending their Scudetto-winning streak to nine in a row, the Bianconeri have not been entirely convincing this season – particularly in defence.

Their record of 43 goals conceded in 38 Serie matches this season is their worst since 2011, which was the last time they failed to lift the title in a disappointing campaign that saw them way down in seventh.

Having kept just one clean sheet in their 10 last matches of the league season – losing three of the final four – they look vulnerable to a Lyon attack that has scored in eight of their previous nine Champions League away matches.

Indeed, odds of 10/11 (1.91) seem generous on both teams finding the net for Juventus’ ninth match in 11, as well as a seventh Champions League away game in 10 for Rudi Garcia’s side.