Juventus team enter this clash in impressive form. Following
their success at Fiorentina last Friday (0-2), they have won 11
consecutive matches across all competitions and have conceded just one
goal in the last 16 outings. Anyway, Max Allegri's men are still one
point shy of Serie A leaders Napoli. The Bianconeri finished runenr up
to Barcelona in UCL Group D with 11 points, after beating
Olympiacos twice, taking four points from the double match against
Sporting Lisbon, and drawing 0-0 at home to Barcelona. Juventus and
Tottenham have never met on International stage but played two
firendlies in recent years - the Italians won 2-1 in Melbourne back in
2016 and lost to Spurs 2-0 in a final pre-season warm-up in August 2017.
Argentine
talisman Paulo Dybala is a doubt for the game, along with Blaise
Matuidi, Andrea Barzagli, Benedikt Howedes and Juan Cuadrado who are
alle expected to miss the match. Max Allegri is expected to play with a
4-3-3 formation in which Gonzalo Higuain will be the central forward.
Mario Mandzukic also look sure to start up front, while Douglas Costa is
favourite over Federico Bernardeschi to earn the last available berth.
The likes of Claudio Marchisio, Sami Khedira and Miralem Pjanic will
continue in midfield while Alex Sandro and Mattia De Sciglio are
expected to start as full backs, with Giorgio Chiellini partnered by
Mehdi Benatia at the heart of the back.
Tottenham team
defeated bitter rivals Arsenal on Saturday, thanks to a Harry Kane
header in the North London derby. Spurs also recorded a 2-0 win over Man
Utd and a 2-2 draw with Liverpool team at Anfield in recent weeks. They sit
4th in the Premier League standings, a whopping 20 points behind league
leaders Man City. Spurs comfortably won their Champions League Group, picking
up 16 points to finish ahead of Real Madrid, Dortmund and APOEL. They
beat Dortmund and APOEL on their travels, and earned a hard-fought 1-1
at the Santiago Bernabeu. Anyway, their recent away form leaves little
to the imagination. Spurs failed to win in three on the road and have
won only two of their last 8 outings away from Wembley.
Spurs
have no notable injuries. Toby Alderweireld and Harry Winks have only
recently come back so it is likely they will be rested for the tie.
Mauricio Pochettino should play with a more defensive 4-3-2-1 formation
with Victor Wanyama replacing Son Heung Min in order to strenghten the
midfield, alongside Mousa Dembelè and Eric Dier. The Spurs boss may
bring Serge Aurier in for Kieran Trippier at right-back while Davinson
Sanchez, Jan Vertonghen and Ben Davies will retain their starting berth.
Up front, Harry Kane will be supported by Dele Alli and Christian
Eriksen as usual, with Son and Fernando Llorente providing alternatives.
Juventus last 5 matches:
22/01/18 Juventus 1 – 0 Genoa
27/01/18 Chievo 0 – 2 Juventus
30/01/18 Atalanta 0 – 1 Juventus
04/02/18 Juventus 7 – 0 Sassuolo
09/02/18 Fiorentina 0 – 2 Juventus
Tottenham last 5 matches:
27/01/18 Newport County 1 – 1 Tottenham
31/01/18 Tottenham 2 – 0 Manchester United
04/02/18 Liverpool 2 – 2 Tottenham
07/02/18 Tottenham 2 – 0 Newport County
10/02/18 Tottenham 1 – 0 Arsenal