Tuesday night sees Old Trafford host a UEFA Champions League match-up of the two teams that are almost certain to advance out of Group H. Obviously that’s not the headline though when Juventus visits Manchester United in UCL group stage play. Yes, it’s the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is facing his former club for just the fourth time since he left nearly a decade ago. This will be the second time he faces them at the Theatre of Dreams. Earlier this year, Ronaldo won a United supporter poll in which respondents were asked to name the club’s greatest individual player of the Premier League era.
Let’s take a look at some of the basic FYIs for this epic clash. If you’re going to be doing some betting on this game, then the odds you’ll encounter are likely similar to the following. A United victory is backed at 12/5, while a draw sees odds at 12/5. Juventus are favored to the tune of 7/5. The match kicks off Tuesday October 23 at 8pm BST. It will be staged at Old Trafford.
There are plenty of other storylines, other than Ronaldo, at work here too. United striker Romelu Lukaku has hinted at a desire to move to Serie A, with his opponent tomorrow night the preferred destination. The big Belgian has provided the names of the key Juve players that his side needs to be prepared for beyond Ronaldo, in Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa.
“They have a lot to offer and an extra year with the same coach and structure,” Mourinho said at his news conference on Monday.
“They have won seven titles on the trot and a really special player who makes a real difference. They are more than a contender for the Champions League,” Mourinho said.
Juve come into this one having taken all six points possible from their two group stage matches and thus sit atop the group standings. United are right below them, having taken four points on the strength of a win over Young Boys and a draw with Valencia.
These two sides have met a dozen 12 times in UEFA competition, with each winning five contests, to go along with two draws.
They haven’t faced each other in the Champions League since 2002-03, when United beat Juve 2-1 at home and then again 3-0 away in the second group stage. Another major storyline here is Paul Pogba facing his former club, but Mourinho was not having any discussion at all on that topic.
“I don’t like this press conference,” Mourinho said.
“I think the press conference is going in other directions. If the press conference is going in other directions then I want to go in another direction. I don’t want to speak about Pogba, I don’t want to speak about individuals or Spanish journalists. I want to speak about one of the biggest candidates of winning the competition.”
“That is what motivates me, that’s what brings me here. If the press conference is going in other directions, I want to go in another direction.”
United vs Juve Relevant Links
Jose Mourinho Press Conference: go to this link
Romelu Lukaku Press Conference: go to this link
Injury Report for both clubs: go to this link
United starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Prediction: Juventus 1, United 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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