Will Chelsea be able to finish the job in Turin?

Juventus/Chelsea, 7.45pm, ITV4, Free Bets, Best Odds

Only 58% of teams who win the home leg of a Champions League knockout clash 1-0 have progressed to the next round, meaning that Juventus are priced far too high at 3/1 with 888sport to qualify. But while the hosts may offer good value, is Guus Hiddink’s honeymoon period really going to end in the worst way imaginable? Here are all the key statistics:

THE FORM GUIDE
Chelsea have won six successive games since sacking Luiz Felipe Scolari. The wins since Hiddink took charge have come by narrow margins though, with three of the last five finishing 1-0, one ending 2-1 and the other being their 2-0 triumph away to Coventry at the weekend. Since losing the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Juventus have beaten both Napoli and Torino 1-0 in Serie A. However, a reasonably weakened Bianconeri side lost 2-1 away to Lazio last week in their Coppa Italia semi-final.

CHELSEA IN ITALY
The Blues hadn’t played away to Italian opposition for five seasons before their 3-1 defeat to Roma in November. What made the manner of the loss even more surprising was that their previous match in Italy had been played at the same ground and they had thrashed Lazio 4-0 on that occasion. Chelsea have made five trips to Italy in the Premier League era and have a mixed record: winning one, drawing two and losing two.

JUVENTUS AGAINST ENGLISH OPPOSITION

Posted: March 10th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Lazio 4/1 to finally beat Milan

Milan/Lazio, 7.45pm, Coppa Italia, Best Odds, Free Bets

AC Milan and Lazio have both spent time on top of Serie A this season but both clubs have lost that early-season form and are now on a run of three game without a win. Tonight they meet in the final sixteen of the Coppa Italia, which means that one of them will finally taste victory.

Lazio have failed to beat Carlo Ancelotti’s side in their last eleven meetings, with Milan winning eight of them. However, their last victory against the five-time winners came the last time they collided in the Coppa Italia in the 2003-04 season. On that occasion Lazio won 2-1 in Milan then won the return 4-0.

This year the tie will be decided on the night as the format has changed and Lazio are 4/1 with Ladbrokes and Paddy Power to repeat their heroics of five seasons ago and are 16/1 with 888sport and Ladbrokes to win 2-1 again. Bet365 offer best price of 5/6 on a home win.

Posted: December 3rd, 2008 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment