Sports Blog 07/11/2018: UEFA Champions League Preview – Juventus vs Man United/Man City vs Shakhtar Donetsk, Wednesday 7th November 2018

Can Man United avoid getting trumped in Turin when they travel to Juventus, at 8pm on BT Sport 2?

Despite a LOT of chatter over Jose Mourinho’s employment status, the last month or so has hardly been a disaster for United. They’ve crept up the table in the Premier League, with a 4 game unbeaten run – 3 wins and a draw at Stamford Bridge – taking them to 7th (admittedly 9 points off of City in 1st place). They were less successful in Europe, however, with a goalless draw against Valencia followed by a 1-0 loss against Wednesday’s hosts.



That slight improvement still leaves United lightyears behind Juventus in terms of form. Massimilliano Allegri’s side are among the continent’s best at the moment; in 14 games across Serie A and the Champions League they’ve won 13 and drawn once. In Europe especially they looked like an absolute unit, with 6 goals scored and none conceded.

Interestingly, while Cristiano Ronaldo has been the star domestically, Paulo Dybala has really shone in the Champions League, nabbing two-thirds of Juve’s goals. Nevertheless the Argentine still trails his Portuguese teammate, at a Super Mega PGM of 21-26 to the latter’s 50-58. As for United, without the injured Romelu Lukaku, they’ve reliant on Alexis Sanchez, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, all of whom sit at 10-14.

Given Italians have only conceded 4 goals at the Allianz Stadium this season, Mourinho’s men may find it difficult to get anything on Wednesday. Spreadex are offering a Juventus/Man United Goal Supremacy spread of 0.85-1.05, alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.45-2.65.

Elsewhere, back in Manchester, can City get a firmer grip on Group F when they face Shakhtar Donetsk, at 8pm on BT Sport 3? Domestically Pep Guardiola’s defending champions have been simply monstrous. With 9 wins and 2 draws, they’ve racked up 33 goals in just 11 games, their prolific attack equalled by a remarkably stingy backline that has only let in 4 goals.



Frustratingly that infallibility hasn’t necessarily been there in Europe. An opening loss to Lyon was a shock, while they only just took 3 points off of Hoffenheim, requiring an 87th minute winner from David Silva. There were signs of the proper City at the end of October, however, as they came away from Ukraine with a 3-0 victory.

Looking at the Super Mega PGMs for Wednesday’s fixture and Shakhtar could be in for another nightmare. Sergio Aguero, who has 10 goals in all competitions and is the Premier League’s joint top scorer, is at a staggering 91-106, with Gabriel Jesus at 65-75, and Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez both at 43-50. It is a sign of City’s dominance that 18 year-old midfielder Phil Foden has a greater spread than Shakhtar’s Junior Morales, at 14-18 to the latter’s 12-16 despite having one goal to the Brazilian’s 14.

With all that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Spreadex are offering a Man City/Shakhtar Donetsk Goal Supremacy spread of 2.5-2.7 alongside a Total Goals spread of 3.65-3.85.