(Source www.Juventus.com)
Overview
Group H leaders Tottenham visit Group D Runner up Juventus last year's Champions League finalist at home in Turin for the first leg of this Champions League Round of 16 Cup Tie. Who will come out on top in the first leg of this tight contest?
Form
(Source www.Juvefc.com)
Juventus will be very confident coming into this match and for good reason. They have now gone 16 matches straight with a clean sheet. Coming off a year where they comfortably led to beat Barcelona and advance in the knockout stages a face off against Tottenham should be easier. The team however will be without winger Juan Cuadrado, midfielder Blaise Matuidi, defender Benedikt Howedes, Stephan Litchsteiner, Andrea Barzagli and striker Paulo Dybala.
Champions League Form: 3 Wins 0 Losses 2 Draw
Domestic Form: 5 Wins 0 Losses 0 Draws
(www.101greatgoals.com)
Tottenham will fancy their chances of coming up with a result in this match given that they have been in good form of late. Topping Group H came as a surprise to some not to mention defeating the defending Champions League winners Real Madrid with ease who have dropped in form this year however the victory was well earned and deserved. What will however not be in Tottenham's favor is experience as this is the side's first appearance at the Knockout stages since 2011. Tottenham have no injuries.
Champions League Form: 4 Wins 0 Losses 1 Draw
Domestic Form: 3 Wins 0 Losses 2 Draws
Head to Head: This is the first time that these 2 clubs have played each other this previous encounters are irrelevant on the bases of the current squads.
Man to watch
(Source www.image.performgroup.com)
Tottenham- Harry Kane
(Source http://data1.ibtimes.co.in)
Juventus- Gonzalo Higuain
Stats
Both sides are meeting for the first time in UEFA club competition
Tottenham was undefeated in the group stages (Wins 5 Draws 1)
Tottenham's first champions knockout appearance since 2011
Juventus has not lost a home game since 2013
Prediction
Given the form that these 2 clubs are coming in we should be in for a treat. Juventus have been dominant at home and although I don't expect a blowout with the quality of play Tottenham is giving at the moment I do give them the win. Final verdict
Juventus 2-1 Tottenham
Goal Scorer
Look for Gonzalo Higuain to get on the score sheet.