Football
Club Brugge vs Juventus Preview: Tips, Odds and Prediction – Jan 21, 2025
Club Brugge welcome European powerhouse Juventus at Jan Breydel Stadion on January 21st in a UEFA Champions League encounter. This will be the first time both giants in their respective countries square off since 2005 and Champions League betting fans will be looking forward to what the markets will be offering when it comes to odds. Read along with us in this in-depth preview of this highly anticipated game.
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Weston McKennie//Getty Images
Club Brugge vs Juventus Preview: First Meeting in 20 Years
There’s not much history between these two teams, with only four games played, all of which ironically happened to be in the Champions League. The last time we saw this fixture in European football was just under twenty years ago at the time of writing, a game Juventus won 1-0 at home.
In that season’s Champions League, the team from Turin beat Brugge twice in the home and away games, and in 1978, neither team won their home games, with respective scores of 2-0 and 1-0. Based on head-to-head records, it will be very difficult to call this one.
Their most recent games in the Champions League give a clearer indication. Juventus are not doing so well in the 14th position but are set for a last-sixteen playoff spot if they continue in the same vain. While Brugge, being one of the underdog teams, is doing well with lesser expectations in 19th position with ten points won so far.
Pre-Game Odds and Win Probability: Juventus Clear Favourites
Home 51/20/25 (3.55) 28.2%
Draw 257/100 (3.57) 28.1%
Away 59/50 (2.18) 45.9%
*Odds courtesy of 888Starz, subject to change
Head-to-Head record
This will be only the fifth time these two teams play against each other and after a prolonged period. Of the four games they played, Juventus won three of them while Brugge only had one win. It is very difficult to project any predictions based on such a head-to-head record.
Last Meetings Between Brugge and Juventus
21/11/05 Juventus 1-0 Club Brugge
14/09/05 Club Brugge 1-2 Juventus
12/04/78 Club Brugge 2-0 Juventus
29/03/78 Juventus 1-0 Club Brugge
Club Brugge Current Form in Europa League – WDWLW
The home team has performed well so far in the competition with three wins in their last five games. The Belgian side League have made it tough for visiting opponents, with the only defeat coming against Dortmund in their opening game, a 3-0 loss. Overall, Brugge have won three games, lost two and drew one.
Their biggest win came against this season’s surprise package, Aston Villa, in a 1-0 shock result. Against relatively smaller opposition or teams on the same level with them is where they have pipped the much-needed points. They beat Sturm Graz 1-0 away from home and Portugal’s Sporting CP 2-1 at home.
Getting points against Juventus will be difficult but home ground advantage counts in such encounters.
Key Players to Watch
- Simon Mignolet: The veteran goalie played a prominent role in his team’s three wins, twice keeping out Aston Villa and Sturm Graz with clean sheets. With Juventus’ strong lineup, his experience will be the difference for his team.
- Raphael Onyedika: Tough-tackling Nigerian midfielder Onyedika’s role on the day in the heart of midfield is going to be one of importance as we believe the game will be won or lost in that part of the field. The cover he gives to the backline will be assurance because having that one extra player to cover for an out-of-position defender or adding numbers to frustrate the opponent is important.
- Romeo Vermant: Nicky Hayen has been giving the youngster a good run of games recently and he has not disappointed. With limited game time Vermant has scored twice and assisted an equal number, that’s four overall goal contributions with just under a thousand minutes on the pitch. If given the opportunity, he will be very key for his team.
Club Brugge Team News
Several Premier Clubs are eying moves for Brugge’s players in the January transfer window and defender Ordonez is one of the said players.
Juventus Current Form in Europa League – WDDLW
A 2-0 win against a struggling Manchester City side broke a three-game winless streak for Juventus where they lost one and drew two. Perhaps we shouldn’t read much into that game because they won against a team that cannot catch a break with very bad form.
It might just be a turnaround, but they have not done well this season as far as expectations go for a team of their stature. They have only managed to score nine goals so far and conceded five. A good defensive return but poor upfront.
Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus//Getty Images
Key Players to Watch
- Dusan Vlahovic: The majority of Dusan Vlahovic’s seven goals this season came in the Champions League with the other three scored in domestic football. For goals, he is the go-to man for his team, and he will definitely get one or two in Belgium.
- Manuel Locatelli: If Juventus are able to boss the midfield effectively, they will easily dispose of their opponents and this is where Manuel Locatelli comes in on the day. The Italian’s creative prowess and defensive resoluteness will come to the fore for his team on the day.
- Weston McKennie: A left wingback come midfielder at times, Weston Mckennie will prove too hot to handle with his blistering pace for the hosts. The last time in the Champions League, the American scored in the 75th minute to seal the win against City.
Juventus Team News
Weston McKennie is said to be pushing for new contract talks with the team, while Chelsea’s Disasi is eyed by The Old Lady.
Predicted Line-ups
Club Brugge: 4-2-3-1
Mignolet, De Cuyper, Mechele, Ordonez, Seys, Jashari, Onyedika, Nielsen, Vanaken, Olsen, Vermant
Juventus: 4-2-3-1
Di Gregorio, McKennie, Kalulu, Gatti, Savona, Locatelli, Thuram, Conceicao, Yildiz, Gonzalez, Vlahovic
Suggested Bets
We have analyzed the most likely probable bets below for this encounter and as a sports betting fan you should follow our suggestions to make sure you maximize your returns.
Overs/Unders – Over 1.5: Our prediction for this game is that Juventus will score more than two goals as they come up against weaker opposition. They haven’t performed well so far, but Brugge is certain to let in a few as they did against Dortmund, a team of similar stature to Juventus. (8/25 with Betway), (31/100 with 1xBet).
1X2 and Overs/Under – Juventus and Over 1.5: The head-to-head record doesn’t give a clear indication, but Brugge have beaten Juventus only once before and that was over forty years ago, so that is not a yardstick we can use in our assessment. However, the gulf in class and the ability to break down opponents will be the determining factor, and we therefore predict an away win and an overall goal total of over 1.5. (17/10 with Betway), (169/100 with 1xBet).
Both Teams to Score – No: Although big upsets have taken place in this season’s new format, we do not foresee anything of that nature in this game and don’t believe Brugge has enough firepower upfront to score against their opponents. Only Juventus will score in this game. (24/25 with Betway), (49/50 with 1xBet).
Value Bets
With a good amount of money wagered and just one selection from our value bets you may triple or quadruple your money by football betting on your favourite team, have a look with us below.
Which Team to Score – Only Juventus: With only six goals in the competition and eight conceded, we do not think Brugge will score against Thiago Motta’s men, but the latter will find a couple of goals. (53/20 with Betway), (62/25 with 1XBet).
1X2 and Both Teams to Score – Juventus and No: A win probability of 45.9% makes the Italian team the favourites, although we believe it should have been a little higher considering their opponents. Therefore, a win with no chance of both teams scoring is our prediction. (49/20 with Betway).
Halftime/Fulltime – Juventus/Juventus: The Italian giants haven’t won both halves in any of their Champions League games but we tip them to do so this time around. A risky market but highly possible. (5/2 with Betway), (111/50 with 1XBet).
Prediction: Juventus Win and Draw No Bet
The favourites will clinch this game as we have expressed above but with today’s modern-day low-block tactics for teams considered weak, we will not rule out the possibility of Brugge frustrating their visitors. If that tactic is employed, then a draw might just result, therefore, a draw-no-bet market will guarantee that your slip doesn’t lose.
Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, Jimmy holds a Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies. He’s a passionate sports enthusiast with broad knowledge across various disciplines.