Juventus vs Lyon Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Lee Bushe
The Champions League will be back on our screens for the first time in four months on Friday, with Juventus's round of 16 second-leg clash with Lyon being one of the two fixtures being played on that day. Les Gones head into the game with the advantage, having beaten the Old Lady 1-0 in the first-leg back in February.
Juventus - whose domestic dominance hasn't been quite translated to the European stage - have been aiming to win the Champions League for some time now, falling short on every occasion. They come into the game having secured the Serie A title, which they won in spite of their abysmal end to the season.
Lyon scraped through the group stages - finishing just one point above the two teams below them - before earning that shock win over Juventus in the first-leg of the round of 16. They've disappointed domestically this season, sitting in seventh place before the French league campaign was brought to a premature end.
Where to Watch on TV
When is Kick-Off? Friday 7th July
What Time is Kick-Off? 20:00 (BST)
Where is it Played? Allianz Stadium
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport 2
Team News
Sami Khedira, Mattia De Sciglio and Douglas Costa are unavailable due to injury, though Maurizio Sarri is hopeful that Paulo Dybala will be fit on time for Friday. The Argentine forward sat out Juventus' last two games of the season with a thigh injury, but has since made a return to training.
Lyon will have to make do with left-back Youssouf Kone, who is out with a muscle injury, while Marcelo and Kenny Tete are doubtful, with the pair suffering with thigh and muscle issues respectively.
Predicted Lineups
Juventus: Szczesny; Danilo, de Ligt, Bonucci, Alex Sandro; Pjanic, Bentancur, Rabiot; Bernardeschi, Higuain, Ronaldo.
Lyon: Lopes; Marcal, Denayer, Andersen; Guimaraes, Dubois, Aouar, Caqueret, Cornet; Dembele, Depay.
Recent Form
Juventus endured a dreadful end to their Serie A campaign, losing three out of their last five games, including defeats to bottom-half sides such as Udinese and Cagliari. In fact, Juventus have won just two of the eight games they have played over the past month, drawing two and losing four of the six others.
Lyon made their return to competitive football towards the end of last month, drawing 0-0 with Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de Ligue final before losing 6-5 on penalties. With the league having been put to an end in March, Les Gones have also played a few friendlies to build up match fitness, winning five and losing one of them.
Here is how both sides have performed over their last five games.
Juventus
Juventus 1-3 Roma (1/8)
Cagliari 2-0 Juventus (29/7)
Juventus 2-0 Sampdoria (26/7)
Udinese 2-1 Juventus (23/7)
Juventus 2-1 Lazio (20/7)
Lyon
Paris Saint-Germain 0-0 Lyon [6-5 on pens] (31/7)
Antwerp 2-3 Lyon (24/7)
Gent 2-3 Lyon (22/7)
Lyon 2-1 Celtic (18/7)
Lyon 0-2 Rangers (16/7)
Prediction
Despite Juventus' woeful form, they do have the advantage of having played more competitive games than Lyon as of late, in addition to possessing a squad that is of far superior quality. Don't expect Rudi Garcia's side to make it easy for them, however.
Prediction: Juventus 2-0 Lyon