Juventus – Maccabi Haifa : Preview & Prediction
For the first time in history, Juventus lost their first two matches in a UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage, so they must beat Maccabi Haifa at any cost. A 3-0 Serie A win over Bologna over the weekend was a good rehearsal for what should be this crucial clash, ending a run of five straight games without a win (E3, P2), including the two 2-1 UCL defeats.
The Italian giants’ last UCL defeat saw Benfica become just the seventh team to record a win in Juventus’ last 51 UCL home games (G32, E12), which may indicate that result was merely an anomaly. However, it does mean that they have recorded three consecutive UCL defeats, and if they extend that streak in this match with four losses for the first time in their history, it would virtually ensure that Juventus will miss the UCL knockout stage for the first time since 2013/14.
Maccabi Haifa come into this match just like Juventus, without a point in the UCL but managing to beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0 in the league last weekend. The Haifa side is the first Israeli team in UCL since the Tel Aviv side participated in the 2015/16 group stage, and must pick up points in this fixture if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the Round of 16 or at least the UEFA Europa League.
An even record in Italy (G1, E1, P1) give Maccabi some hope of picking up any points in the UCL for the first time after two appearances. However, a 4-0 win over Olympiacos in the qualifying rounds is Haifa’s only win in their last nine matches away from home in European competition (E2, P6), so perhaps the upcoming match against Juventus at home over the next week is a more realistic chance to pick up points.
Players to watch: Two of Arkadiusz Milik’s last three goals for Juventus were registered in the first 10 minutes of a match. After scoring in the 3-1 UCL loss to PSG, Tjaronn Chery could become only the third player in Maccabi Haifa history to score in two consecutive UCL matches (excluding qualifiers).
Key stat: Maccabi Haifa has lost its last eight UCL group stage matches by an aggregate score of 13-1.
Juventus – Maccabi Haifa : Betting Tips
Juventus – Win Odds: 1.35
