Juventus host Sevilla at Juventus Stadium in the first leg of a blockbuster Europa League semi-final.
Juventus edged out Sporting Lisbon to secure their spot in the last four, whilst Sevilla came from behind to eliminate Manchester United and keep their dreams of a seventh Europa League title alive.
Team News
Paul Pogba could start for Juventus after he was utilised as a substitute during their Serie A win at Atalanta, with Leonardo Bonucci, Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa also in contention to start.
Leandro Paredes (suspension) could return but Mattia De Sciglio (knee) and Kaio Jorge (tendon) remain absent.
Sevilla could welcome Tecatito Corona back into contention after illness forced him to miss their La Liga win at home to Espanyol.
Pape Gueye (ineligible), Joan Jordan (Achilles), Tanguy Nianzou and Marcao Teixeira (both muscle) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Juventus host Sevilla at Juventus Stadium in a 9pm CET kick-off on Thursday 11 May, live on BT Sport 2 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Juventus’ first Europa League meeting against Sevilla, although they have won two of four previous meetings in all UEFA competitions (W2, D1, L1).
- Sevilla are winless in two previous visits to Juventus in all competitions (D1, L1).
- Juventus have kept two clean sheets at home against Sevilla in all UEFA competitions.
- Massimmiliano Allegri’s Juventus have scored one goal in five of their six home matches in all UEFA competitions this season, except for a 3-1 win against Maccabi Haifa in October 2022.
- Sevilla have kept just one clean sheet in six away games in all UEFA competitions this season (D3, L3), which came away in a goalless draw to Copenhagen in September 2022.
Prediction
Having endured a tricky season on and off the pitch with a points deduction fiasco in Serie A to boot, Juventus now have their best chance to secure an European trophy since finishing as Champions League runners-up in 2016-17 season.
Defending though has been Juventus’ biggest issue with just three clean sheets in their last 11 matches across all competitions, yet they do have a decent squad capable of turning in a strong performance given that they’re currently on a three-match unbeaten run.
Sevilla meanwhile have their own defensive issues especially away from home but are stuck in mid-table in La Liga, meaning that winning this competition is their only hope of European qualification for next season so can’t be written off given their history in this competition.
Jose Luis Mendilibar’s Sevillistas also have lost just one of their last nine games in all competitions and have Lucas Ocampos back in form, so I do expect them to come to Turin looking to score goals despite their poor form in two previous visits.
Either way, this match doesn’t scream goalless and if Sevilla can press in the same way which saw them stun Man Utd in the Quarter-Finals, I reckon they could get a draw to take into their home leg.
Prediction: Juventus 1-1 Sevilla
Result: Juventus 1-1 Sevilla
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