Juventus host NEC Nijmegen in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening and the Italian side should have the European pedigree to get three points.
The Bianconeri have not made the best of starts domestically but Luciano Spalletti's side face NEC Nijmegen, who are playing in continental competition for the first time in 17 years.
Both teams are laden with injury problems going into this contest in Turin, but the home side should have the depth to cope.
Juventus v NEC Nijmegen Tips Summary
Best Bet – Juventus to Win & Under 3.5 Goals @ 11/8
Alternative Bet – Edon Zhegrova Anytime Goalscorer @ 6/5
Bet Builder – Juventus to Win, Most Goals in 2nd Half, Juventus Over 8 Corners & Teun Koopmeiners to Score or Assist @ 11/1
Juventus v NEC Nijmegen Prediction
Best Bet – Juventus to Win & Under 3.5 Goals @ 11/8
Juventus start their European journey with an injury list that includes Juan Cabal, Weston McKennie, Andrea Cambiaso, Jeremie Boga, Jeff Ekhator, Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli, while Lloyd Kelly is suspended.
NEC are missing Isak Hansen-Aaroen, Adam Tahaui, Freek Entius, Yassin Moslih, Emre Mor, Deveron Fonville and Ahmetcan Kaplan, as well as the suspended Gonzalo Crettaz.
Both squads are stretched, suggesting unfamiliar starting line-ups, which may contribute to a disjointed contest and a lack of goals.
Before Sunday's loss at Sassuolo, just one of Juve's previous 13 games had featured over 3.5 goals.
Nijmegen face a tough opening challenge on their return to the main draw of a European club competition.
NEC have two defeats and a draw in their last three Eredivisie outings, and a relatively low-scoring home success is forecast.
Alternative Bet – Edon Zhegrova Anytime Goalscorer @ 6/5
Neither Nick Woltemade nor Randal Kolo Muani have established themselves in the central striking role for Juve, and both have had a frustrating start.
Calling Spalletti's starting XI for this assignment is difficult, but he may opt for Edon Zhegrova in one of his attacking roles after the 27-year-old Kosovan came off the bench to score both goals in the loss at Sassuolo.
Juve paid a reported fee of more than €15m a year ago, and that weekend brace marked his first goalscoring contribution after injuries interrupted last season.
He has been making cameo appearances this season, but he may start here.
Zhegrova showed good finishing instincts on Sunday, cutting in and converting with his left foot for the first leveller and then driving home a low effort for his second.
Juventus v NEC Nijmegen Bet Builder Tip
Juventus to Win
Most Goals in 2nd Half
Juventus Over 8 Corners
Teun Koopmeiners to Score or Assist
Pays 11/1
Juventus should have enough to win here, even allowing for squad rotations and injuries.
They may, though, have to wait to break down the visitors, and nine of the 10 goals Juve have scored this season have come after half-time.
The Bianconeri have racked up some high corner tallies, hitting 10 against Sassuolo and 12 at Frosinone last month, with 10 against Parma and seven against AC Milan in between.
They should dominate, so getting close to double figures in their corner count appears achievable.
The final leg of the bet builder is for Teun Koopmeiners to score or assist.
The Dutch midfielder hasn't reached the heights anticipated after his move from Atalanta – where he hit double figures for Serie A goals in successive seasons – but he has a goal and an assist in his last three appearances and could be key against his compatriots.
Key Match Stats
Luciano Spalletti has managed Zenit St Petersburg, Roma, Inter Milan and Napoli in the UEFA Europa League, losing only twice across 18 group/league phase fixtures
Stretching back into last season, Juventus have picked up only three wins in their last nine games (D4, L2)
NEC Nijmegen are starting just their fourth ever European campaign and first in 17 years
The Eredivisie side were beaten 6-1 on aggregate by Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers last month
Five of NEC's last seven games produced over 3.5 goals, with both teams scoring in 15 of their previous 19 competitive away games
Edon Zhegrova twice brought Juventus level at Sassuolo on Sunday before they ultimately lost 3-2 in Serie A
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
