For Barcelona to overcome the three goal deficit following last weeks classy performance by Juventus, the Nou Camp faithful will be hoping that their heroes get of to a fast start, and for them to be leading after 15 minutes is 18/5 with Coral. All their attacking endeavors may all be in vain however if their defence performs like it did in Turin and the Italian giants will certainly fancy their chances of grabbing a decisive away goal, with their Argentine superstar Paulo Dybala already making his mark on the tie, and could be the man to score a vital goal, is 11/4 with Betfair Sportsbook to score at anytime.
Will early pressure prove too much for Juventus as Barcelona go in search of the three goals they need?
The urgency for Barca to score a goal may leave them vulnerable to be caught out at the back, causing them to make some last ditch challenges and Juventus are 10/1 with bet365 to score a penalty. If Juventus can take the game to half time level (6/4 with Betfred), they are in with a great shout, but for the Catalan superstars to be leading 2-0 at half time (11/2 with Stan James) will put the Spanish side in with a great shout of qualifying 9/2 with Betfair Sportsbook.
Goals will likely rain in Spain on Wednesday night, but for whom is the ultimate question. There is no doubt that Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez can provide the magic for their side, and for Messi 4/1 with Sky Bet to score two or more, Neymar 8/1 with Coral, Suarez 18/5 with Betfair Sportsbook to do the same, perhaps giving them the chance they need. Juventus will have to stand, fight and scrap to not give anything, in what will be a caldron of noise at The Camp Nou and the return by former favorite Dani Alves maybe too much for him. Dani Alves is 25/1 with Unibet to be shown a red card on what could prove to be an emotional night for The Brazilian.
Barcelona
Lionel Messi is one of the finest players to have ever graced world football, and he will relish the opportunity to show it in front of his own fans when they need it the most. A hat-trick in the game 16/1 with Betfair Sportsbook would allow him the chance to prove it here once again, and is never a bad bet when The Argentine star man is in town.
Can Neymar take the opportunity to grab the headlines as his side go goal hunting against Juventus?
His side will defiantly need to tighten up at the back if his goals are going to mean anything and for Barcelona to keep a clean sheet 13/8 with bet365 would allow him the base he needs to give them a fighting chance. If Juventus do grab an away goal however, Barcelona will need to score five goals to win the tie (40/1 with Sky Bet).
Juventus
A stunning display last time out against their hosts provided Juventus with a great chance of progressing through to the semi finals of the Champions League and their ability to keep Barcelona from scoring (until the period of 31-40 minute 6/1 with Coral) could be crucial you would fancy them to then go through.
They will of course be confident of grabbing a goal themselves and with the side looking to break, it could be their Argentine hitman Gonzalo Higuaín who scores his side's first goal 5/2 with Sky Bet which could relieve some of the pressure their defence is bound to come under.
Barcelona will come at the Italians fast early on, but if they do concede and are losing at half time, the Spanish side's desperation to grab all the goals needed, could give Juventus the chance to hit them on the counter attack and for Barca to be leading at half time but the game to be drawn at full time is 18/1 with Bet Victor.
Can Paulo Dybala exploit the space left by Barcelona's attacking intent?
Paulo Dybala's awesome performance last week looks like it has allowed his side to book their place in the semi-final and with Barcelona pushing forward to grab the goals they need to bring the tie within their grasp, expect the Argentine to have the opportunity to find space in the areas left behind. For Paulolo Dybala to repeat his two goal performance, it's 20/1 with Betfair Sportsbook.
STATS
- Barcelona score on average 2.9 goals per game this season.
- Juventus have conceded just 12 goals from open play all season.
- Juventus win 12.5 aerial duels per game, Barcelona win 9.1.
- Only one game in the last twelve of Barcelona's has not had over three goals.
CURRENT MATCH ODDS (BEST PRICED ODDS)
Barcelona: 1/2 with Betfair Sportsbook - Bet Here!
Draw: 10/3 with Paddy Power - Bet Here!
Juventus: 5/1 with Betfred - Bet Here!
MY PREDICTION
It all comes down to if Barcelona can score a early goal, and they will be in with a chance if they can, but Juventus will fancy their chances of keeping them out. 3-1 Barcelona win looks a good call here!
SUMMING UP!
Barcelona will come storming out of the traps and the game's overall outcome will depend on whether Juventus can keep them of for long enough to see the finishing line. As Barcelona showed in their dramatic turnaround against PSG, they are more than capable of reducing huge deficits when they need to and they are by no means out of the tie.
The Italians are the best defensive side in European football and look like completing the job here, the more that the Spanish side will push for the goals they need, the bigger the gaps that will be exploitable for them will appear. Expect Barca to get the three goals they need, but will they keep Juventus out at their end?
MY RECOMMENDED BETS
- A Barcelona 3-1 win is 13/1 with Paddy Power - Bet Here!
- Luis Suarez to score a hat-trick is 18/1 with Betfair Sportspook - Bet Here!
- The game to be drawn at half time and Barcelona to win at full time is 4/1 with Bet Victor - Bet Here!
- Neymar to score the last goal of the game is 11/2 with Betfred - Bet Here!
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