KVSP 
Juventus have failed to get through the round of 16 in the Champions League the last two seasons and Massimiliano Allegri needs a win in Turin to break that stride after drawing 1-1 in the first leg against Villarreal. The Bianconeri are now winless in each of their last seven first legged ties in the UEFA Champions League (D3 L4), going on to be eliminated from four of their last five knockout ties in the competition. However, their last victory at this stage came against Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid in 2018-19.
Here’s what you need to know:
Viewing information
Date: Wednesday, Mar. 16 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Allianz Stadium — Turin, Italy
Live stream: Paramount+
Odds: Juventus -103; Draw +230; Villarreal +310 (via Caesars Sportsbook)
Featured Game | Juventus vs. Villarreal
Team news
Juventus: Coach Allegri can once again count on captain Giorgio Chiellini who’s back from his injury and also on both Paulo Dybala and Federico Bernardeschi, even if it’s unlikely that they will start on Wednesday. Juventus are currently 4th in Serie A with 56 points through 29 matches, after a 15-game unbeaten streak in league play with ten wins. They hold an eight-point lead over Atalanta for the final Champions League spot. Juventus will be without American Weston McKennie due to a season-ending injury sustained in the first leg of this matchup. McKennie led Juve with three chances created in the first leg. He is tied for 2nd on Juventus with eight chances created in the Champions League this season. Leonardo Bonucci also will be out for the match, as coach Allegri announced during the pre-match press conference.
Villarreal: Four of Villareal’s last five Champions League round of 16 matches have ended level, with the Spanish outfit progressing on each of their two previous appearances at this stage, beating Rangers in 2005-06 and Panathinaikos in 2008-09. So, it’s been a while. Villarreal are currently 7th in La Liga with 45 points from 28 matches, six points behind Barcelona and Atlético Madrid for the last Champions League spot. Dani Parejo was pivotal in Villarreal’s comeback performance against Juventus. Along with scoring Villarreal’s only goal, Parejo led the team with 90 touches, 81 pass attempts, and his 91% pass completion rate was the 3rd-highest on the team. Parejo ranks 8th in the Champions League with 15 created chances this season and ranks 9th with 1.9 expected assists.
Prediction
Juventus can’t really fail to go through the round of 16 for the third year in a row, even if it won’t be an easy second leg for them. PICK: Juventus 1, Villarreal 0.
