Since securing their last victory against Ajax on penalties in the 1996 finals, the Bianconeri have endured a 19-year drought in the UEFA Champions League, so starting well at home will be very crucial for them this Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Blancos are bidding to make history as the first team ever to defend the trophy as they record their 26th Champions League semi-finals appearance. The Los Blancos have won the trophy the most (10 times), including a 4-1 win last year over Atletico Madrid after extra time in the finals. With everything to fight for, read on below as we offer a soccer betting of this enticing clash.After reclaiming their fourth straight Serie A title over the weekend through a 1-0 win over Sampdoria, a rejuvenated Juventus will turn their attention to the Champions League, where they face the defending European Champions Real Madrid on Tuesday.VENUE: Juventus Stadium, Turin, ItalyDATE: Tuesday, May 2015TIME: 2:45 PM ETTV: FOX Sports, Sky Sport 1, ItalyGAME ODDS: Real Madrid +450, Juventus +168, Game Total: 2.5
Juventus vs. Real Madrid Soccer Betting and Game Preview
Even though Juventus has not reached the last four of the European Champions League competition since 2003 (when they lost to AC Milan in the finals on penalties), their opponents in that season semi-finals were the Los Blancos. In that season, the Bianconeri came on top with a 4-3 goal aggregate. Under head coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has just lifted the Serie A title last weekend, the club is optimistic of a similar or even better result against Real Madrid in this season’s semis.Chiellini: “This is the most prestigious and important game I’ll be playing in since I joined the club.” #UCL pic.twitter.com/q6hW9B2yUH
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 11, 2015
Encouraging their quest, Juventus are unbeaten in their last 12 home games in the UEFA competition. They reached the semis of this tournament on a 1-0 aggregate win over Monaco, courtesy of Arturo Vidal’s lone goal from the penalty spot.Defensively, the Bianconeri boasts of a solid defense that has shipped just 19 goals in 34 outings in Serie A this season. Additionally, the Old Lady’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, has kept six clean sheets conceding only five goals in 10 matches in the Champions League this season. Still, a very solid effort will be required from this defense if Juventus is to stop the highly-lethal Real Madrid offense.Injury Concerns for Both Teams:
Juventus: Martin Cáceres (ankle) and Paul Pogba (thigh)Real Madrid: Luka Modric (knee), Karim Benzema is also unlikely to recover in time for the trip to Turin.Key Betting Trends
Juventus- Recent form: WDWWWD
- Recent form (all competitions): WWDLWW
- The Bianconeri are 6-2-2 in the Champions League this season with a goal differential of eight
- The Bianconeri have progressed to the final in seven of their previous 10 semi-final ties in the European Cup/Champions League
- Recent form: WWWWWW
- Recent form (all competitions): DWWWWW
- The Blancos are 8-1-1 record in their 10 Champions League matches this season with a goal difference of 16.
- The Blancos have been eliminated in their last three European semi-finals against Italian sides (Juventus 2003, Torino 1992 and AC Milan 1989)