Medhi Benatia Paulo Dybala Juventus Milan Serie AGetty Images

Juventus v Porto Betting: Staunch defence should see Serie A champions through

Juventus have one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals ahead of the second leg of their last 16 tie with Porto.

Marko Pjaca and Dani Alves were on target for Massimiliano Allegri’s men in last month’s first leg fixture in Portugal as the Serie A side seized the initiative in the tie with a vital 2-0 victory and the Italian champions are strongly fancied to press home that advantage in Turin.

Indeed, Juventus are chalked up at just 4/6 (1.67) with Betway to book their place in the next round of the competition in style by winning on home soil, while the odds compilers offer 11/4 (3.75) that Tuesday's tussle ends all square – a result that would, of course, see the Old Lady safely into the quarter-final stage.

Article continues below
Giorgio Chiellini Porto JuventusGetty

Porto are chalked up at a chunky 9/2 (5.50) to turn the tie on its head and Nuno Santo’s side will come into this clash in confident mood, for they have won each of their three matches since being beaten by Juventus last month; indeed, the visitors have scored 12 goals without reply in their last three outings.

Furthermore, they have shown remarkable defensive discipline on the road. The Portuguese league leaders have conceded just three goals in their last 14 away matches in all competitions, keeping a clean sheet in 11 of those fixtures albeit there is a significant step up in the quality of opposition they face here.

Silva’s side will undoubtedly have to show their steely side if they are to stand any chance of knocking the Italian side out of the competition having conceded two away goals in the first leg of this tie and the enormity of the task facing Porto is reflected by the odds compilers’ 7/2 (4.50) quote for the visitors to shut out the Serie A leaders.

GFX FACT JUVENTUS V PORTO

Juventus, too, boast a hugely impressive home record; Allegri’s charges have avoided defeat in their last 45 matches on home soil – winning each of their last 13 home matches in all competitions.

Allegri’s men have conceded just three goals in their last seven Champions League clashes on home soil and Betway’s 21/20 (2.05) quote for the home side to keep a clean sheet could well prove popular with punters, while the same firm offer 6/4 (2.50) that Juventus win to nil – a selection that would have landed in all but one of the Old Lady’s last seven victories in this competition.

Backing the Serie A side to win without conceding would have landed in six of the last nine wins that Allegri’s men have enjoyed in all competitions and, given that Porto have drawn a blank in two of their three Champions League away days thus far this term, the 6/4 (2.50) quote for Juventus to win to nil looks to be a solid option again.

  e8959f6338c2c2c010db3ee880f71255ecc910a3
Advertisement