Bordeaux v Juventus preview

Old Lady look to join hosts in last 16 of the Champions League

Last updated: 25th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bordeaux v Juventus preview

Chamakh: Injury doubt

Related links

Teams

Also see

Juventus travel to Bordeaux looking to join their French hosts in the next round of the UEFA Champions League.

Highly-rated tactician Laurent Blanc has guided his enterprising Girondins side to the last 16 with two games to spare and is now looking to claim top spot.

Juventus know a win on their part would book a place in the competition's latter stages.

They will be given few favours in Bordeaux though, with Blanc stressing how finishing top will give them home advantage in the second leg of a last 16 tie.

"Finishing first will improve our chances in the last 16, we saw that with Lyon last year," said Blanc. "It is very important because you have the benefit of being at home in the second leg.

"This is a very interesting game and I will not have to motivate my players."

Bordeaux's main injury concern is Marouane Chamakh, a player reportedly much admired in England, as the sought-after striker is struggling with a stomach injury.

Good form

Influential playmaker Yoann Gourcuff and Brazilian striker Jussie Ferreira Vieira are definite absentees through groin and hip injuries respectively.

Juventus head into the game in excellent form having claimed six victories in their last seven outings in all competitions. They also boast the Champions League's meanest defence having conceded just once in 360 minutes to date.

Talented front man Amauri is likely to be given further opportunity to impress in the absence of injured strike duo David Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaquinta.

There are further doubts over the fitness of Hasan Salihamidzic (ankle), Claudio Marchisio (knee) and Jonathan Zebina (thigh).

SkyBet
Click here for more betting