Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri backed Cristiano Ronaldo to score against former club Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Ronaldo is yet to open his account for Juve in European competition, having been sent off against Valencia before helping his side past United at Old Trafford last month.
Allegri said Ronaldo – the all-time leading goalscorer in the Champions League – would deliver against United.
“He will score [on Wednesday],” he said.
“I mean, it’s not like he played many Champions League matches so far.” Juventus hold a perfect record in Group H and will seal their place in the knockout stage if they avoid defeat against United.”
Romelu Lukaku is out – the 25-year-old pulled up in training ahead of Saturday’s win at Bournemouth and is absent for the Group H encounter in Turin. Diogo Dalot is out and Marcos Rojo has reportedly not travelled, but Marouane Fellaini and Antonio Valencia are back in contention having travelled to Turin.
Manchester United are in good run of form and have only lost once in last five matches in all competitions, the only gloss coming at the hands of certain Italian Champions at Old Trafford.
With 10 goals during the same run, the Red Devils have rediscovered their scoring touch. Juventus on the other hand are still a class above any Italian Team and are yet to lose a football match this season.
With the capture of Ronaldo from Spanish giants Real Madrid however came other problems, the main one being that their famed defensive organisation seemingly abandoned to fit in the Goal Machine. The best player in the World demands free flowing football and it would be unwise to deny him that, otherwise the manager will be in trouble.
This has meant that the Old Lady has only kept a clean sheet six times this season, a trait not normally associated with the best team on Italian soil.
Betting tips
Juventus rarely lose at home so a win is the more likely outcome at 1.56
The Leaky Juventus Defence and United’s ability to always score find a goal at any given time should probably see both teams score at 2.00.
Ronaldo to score against his former side at 1.82 While Paul Pogba is also worth a risk to put one past his former side at a staggering 5.50.