Bayer Leverkusen vs Juventus
UEFA Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 10th December 2019
Kick off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: BayArena (Leverkusen).
Juventus boss Sarri limited by a handful of injury concerns but is likely to play well for what the dead-rubber fixtures for his team.
Midfielder Sami Khedira and winger Douglas Costa are both definitely out with knee and hamstring injuries, respectively.
Meanwhile, Aaron Ramsey and Rodrigo Bentancur both doubt and unlikely to risk.
For Leverkusen manager Peter Bosz, Mitchell Weiser and Joel Pohjanpalo both absent because of injury, while Nadiem Amiri suspended.
Besides the trio, however, they have a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Bayer Leverkusen lineup may be the beginning:
Hradecky; L. Bender, Tah, S. Bender, Wendell; Aranguiz, Baumgartlinger; Bellarabi, Havertz, Bailey; Volland
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Buffon; Cuadrado, Rugani, demiral, De Sciglio; Matuidi, Pjanic, Rabiot; Bernardeschi; Higuain, Ronaldo
Bayer Leverkusen v Juventus Head to Head
Back-to-back wins against Atletico Madrid and Lokomotiv Moscow Die Werkself have helped close the gap between them and the La Liga side will be the only one matchday six.
I Bianconeri were able to secure top spot in Group D after a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Atletico last time around.
It will be only the fourth meeting between the two sides in the Champions League era, the first two came in the 2001-02 campaign when the Germans made it all the way to the final. They lost in the second stage of their group meeting with Juve with a 7-1 aggregate score campaign.
In matchday two, Sarri's men secured an easy 3-0 win over Bayer in front of their home crowd.
Bayer guide include: W-W-D-W-L
Juventus book form: L-D-W-W-W
Prediction
Bayer Leverkusen still have a chance to finish second, but will have to beat Juventus and Atletico Madrid hope slipped against Lokomotiv Moscow in the group's other match.
Juventus have secured top spot in Group A and is expected to play weak teams here. Maurizio Sarri's side have failed to win their last two and were beaten 3-1 away to Lazio on Saturday.
Bayer Leverkusen have their tails now. The Bundesliga side are unbeaten in their last six and had victories over Atletico and Bayern Munich in the run. They will never have a better chance to beat Juventus from now.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2 1 Juventus
