Match Betting (1x2)
Juventus have won the Champions League on two occasions throughout their history, although they have also been runners-up several times including the 2014-15 and the 2016-17 season. It was pretty much the only achievement that Max Allegri failed to manage in Turin, although Maurizio Sarri will be out to do this.
The Italian champions couldn’t have asked for a better draw and they are strong favourites to win this first leg encounter despite it being played in France. Ladbrokes go 3/4 about Juve claiming victory and they will certainly be looking to steal a first leg advantage against a team who are struggling this term.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the obvious star of this team and he has an excellent track record in the competition which has seen him triumph with Manchester United and Real Madrid in the past.
However, we should note that Juve don’t need to win in order to go through and will be confident of getting the job done in two legs. The draw is trading at 27/10 with William Hill for those that think Lyon can match their Serie A opponents.
It would certainly be a shock if the Ligue 1 side can muster a victory in this game and some bookies go 15/4 that the out-of-form team win although perhaps they need to go on the attack considering they don’t want to lose this at the halfway stage.
To Qualify
Paddy Power offer a best price 1/5 about Juventus going through. That might seem a little skinny to some, although we actually think it’s decent value considering that if the two matches were played ten times, we would expect Sarri’s team to triumph on nine occasions.
Juve might be in a scrap to retain their Scudetto although it won’t matter as much if they are crowned champions of Europe and Lyon will surely have their work cut out. William Hill have 9/2 about the French side going through and they will certainly need the rub of the green.
Asian Handicap
It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if we see Ronaldo & Co run riot in this game and get the job done ahead of the second leg being played. We quite like the 9/4 with Unibet about Juventus with a -1.5 goal handicap and that would mean a two goal or bigger victory would see this bet profit.
Alternatively, you can get Juve at -2 at 5/1 with the same bookie and that would mean money back if the Old Lady won by two goals but a big profit if they came through to win by three goals or more.
Lyon are 9/8 with BetVictor with a +0.5 goal advantage and that would mean simply avoiding defeat in order to profit with this bet.
Both Teams to Score
Juventus will look to keep things tight in this first leg and we quite like the “No” option at odds-against, with this also keeping the prospect of a goalless draw onside.
However, if you think Lyon will operate with the mantra that attack is the best form of defence, then William Hill have 17/20 about the “Yes” option.