Lokomotiv Moscow vs Juventus
Champions League
Date: Wednesday, 6 November 2019
Kick-off at 17:55 UK / 18:55 CET
Venue: RZD Arena (Moscow).
Team News
Lokomotiv Moscow
Lokomotiv Moscow manager Yuri Semin will likely miss at least five players heading into this game. a list that includes key players Fedor Smolov together with Luka Djordjevic. Even experienced Jefferson Farfan out injured, which means the host is more or less paralyzed in the attacking department.
Eder is only available in a choice number nine slot, and Portuguese is a guaranteed starter this week. Semin coach has been trying to spread Aleksey Miranchuk in a more advanced role, lately and we expect him to do the same against Juventus, in the absence of Djordjevic and Smolov.
Despite the injury crisis in the offensive department, Semin will have the privilege of choosing from a defensive unit fit. Two experienced defender Benedikt Höwedes and Vedran Corluka are destined to receive a place in the starting lineup. They can partner with Murilo Cerqueira, in the holding midfield role.
In midfield, Joao Mario could return, at the expense of Rifat Zhemaletdinov. Portugal midfielder, on loan from Inter Milan, will combine with Grzegorz Krychowiak and Dimitri Barinov.
Possible Lineup (4-1-3-2): Guilherme; Ignatjev, Corluka, Howedes, Rybus; Cerqueira; Mario, Krychowiak, Barinov; Eder, Miranchuk
Juventus
Maurizio Sarri Juventus manager is expected to shuffle his pack slightly after a narrow win over Torino at the weekend. Matthijs de Ligt scored the only goal of the game, but looks set to miss the game because of injury. The Dutchman could be replaced by Daniele Rugani, who will be partnered by Leonardo Bonucci in the heart of Juve four backline.
Danilo, meanwhile, is expected to replace the suspended Juan Cuadrado at right-back while the opposite side will be occupied by Alex Sandro. Brazil will replace Mattia Di Sciglio.
Adrien Rabiot included in the 20-man short list on a trip to Moscow. France may be given a rare start in front of Blaise Matuidi and Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield. He will form a three-man midfield alongside prepare Miralem Pjanic and Sami Khedira.
Elsewhere, Aaron Ramsey may start more Federico Bernadeschi in the attacking midfield role alone, though Paulo Dybala also an option. And finally, the Juventus attack will be led by the offensive duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain.
Possible Lineup (4-3-1-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Bonucci, Rugani, Sandro; Rabiot, Pjanic, Khedira; Ramsey; Higuain, Ronaldo.
PREDICTION
Juventus have won nine of their last 10 games in all competitions, six of them by a 2-1 scoreline - including against Lokomotiv reverse fixture two weeks ago. The Russians usually print at home, but Juve must win, so that a similar result would not be a surprise.
