Manchester City have started the season in very strong fashion, and they are coming off a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace. Currently City sit on top of the Premier League with a maximum 15 points from 5 matches.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are yet to get to grips with this tournament, and for the past 2 seasons they have been knocked out by Barcelona in the last 16. That is the furthest they have reached in this competition, and the City faithful will be hopeful that this season they can at least reach the Quarter final stages. 

Manchester City’s recent domestic home form reads a very strong looking W12, D2, L1 and City have kept a clean sheet in 8 of their last 9 home games.

When facing the Top Premier League sides City’s recent home record reads a reasonable looking W5, D2, L3.

City’s Champions League home form is fairly mixed and reads W3, D3, L4.

Since 2000 this will be the first time the 2 sides have met in this competition. Although the 2 teams did meet at the Etihad, in the Europa League in 2010 when the game ended a 1-1 draw.

Juventus have gone through a major overhaul this season. Key players Tevez, Pirlo and Vidal have all left and been replaced by Kheidra, Mandzukic, Santos, Cuadrado and Dybala. So it may take some time for the new acquisitions to settle in.

Juve have started the season in mediocre fashion having taken just 1 point from their opening 3 matches, which included a 1-2 defeat at Roma. Juve’s recent domestic away record reads a reasonable looking W7, D5, L3.

When facing the Top Serie A sides away from home, Juve’s record again reads a good looking W6, D2, L2.

Juve’s recent Champions League away record reads W2, D3, L5.

Goal Lines

As far as goals are concerned then we have some mixed stats if we look at both sides' last 10 European home and away games. 3 or more goals have been seen in 10 matches, and 2 or less goals have been seen in 10. 7 of Juve’s last 10 away have seen 2 or less, whilst 7 of Manchester City’s last 10 home have seen 3 or more. My ratings suggest value in backing Over 2.5 goals.

Summary

This is a superb looking fixture to start this seasons' Champions League group stage matches. Here my ratings suggest value in both the match and goal lines. Although my ratings suggest value in Over 2.5 goals, looking at Manchester City’s recent defensive record along with Juve’s European away record, combined with the possibility that City’s leading striker Sergio Aguero may be absent, then this is a tough line to call. 

Here my ratings also suggest value with Juve on the +0.5/1.0 goal handicap. Manchester City have only won 3 of their last 11 Champions League home ties, and Juve since the start of 2011 have only lost 5 competitive matches in 110, by 2 goals or more. Here despite their poor start to the season there looks to be some decent risk v reward backing the Serie A champions on the handicap. So my recommended trade is Juventus +0.5/1.0 goal at around 1.95.