Champions League
2012-09-19 - Chelsea vs Juventus
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : UEFA : Champions League
Wednesday, September 19th, 2012, 7:45PM GMT
PREVIEW
Reigning champions Chelsea open their defence against Juventus, who make the trip to Stamford Bridge, looking to improve on their last appearance in the tournament, when they crashed out at the group stages. The signs are good, as the reigning Serie A champions are unbeaten this season.
Chelsea are going to face a Juventus side that went all of last year unbeaten in Serie A, effectively doing an Arsenal and becoming invincibles. That means they have not lost in 42 games now, and after what I saw of Chelsea on the weekend, Juve have a real chance of taking 1, if not all the points.
Chelsea were good last season, winning all 6 games at the Bridge in the tournament, but it was the defence that won this team their long coveted European title. They conceded just 1 goals at home over those 6 games. Chelsea have done well in recent years in this tournament too, getting to the semis 6 times and the finals twice, famously losing that penalty shootout to Manchester United a few years back.
I talked about Juventus staying unbeaten for ages. Well Chelsea have now gone 26 group stage home games in this competition without defeat, winning 20. That's pretty impressive, and they have avoided defeat domestically this season too, sitting top after their latest result, a draw against QPR. I'm not sure whether to use that as a reason to bet against them, or take it as a sign they were genuinely distracted by this game, which they will give their all in.
Chelsea have a few good players but I have a feeling one Andrea Pirlo may produce a moment of magic to deny Chelsea an opening win here. So, I fancy a bet against the defending champions.
BETTING VERDICT
We can either go for an AH selection on Juventus or risk the draw. I'm feeling bold, so at the bigger prices, I'll go for this to end level.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 1-1 Juventus
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take the Draw @ 3.36 (Pinnacle)
