16-12-2010 19:00 Juventus - Manchester City

Playing For Pride & Prestige

Juventus have had yet another disappointing campaign in Europe in 2010-11 and just like last season have been forced to head towards the exit door. Having drawn all of their five matches in the group stage, the former Italian and European champions are currently stationed third in the group and have no chance whatsoever to progress to the Round of 32.

However, Juventus are marching on in Serie A and are second in the table at the moment with 30 points from 16 matches, six behind league leaders Milan. Luigi Del Neri's side are unbeaten in their last 16 competitive fixtures and have lost just once in Turin this season.

There have been suggestions that Del Neri could field a young line-up tonight but the Juve tactician says that he will respect the match, claiming, "It's not true we'll play only young players.

"Obviously, at this moment, the match in Chievo is more important to us, but we'll try to play our part anyway, because we have the strength and the quality to achieve a good result and we'd like to win a match in this round."

Pulling Out Of Controversy

Saturday's 3-1 defeat of West Ham United at Upton Park propelled Manchester City to third place in the Premier League and with the Citizens just two points behind league leaders Manchester United, Roberto Mancini's side are very much in contention for the title.

This has been a good season for the ambitious Premier League club as they are going strong both domestically and in Europe. Having already qualified for the Round of 32 in the Europa League, City will now strive to win Group A and maintain their momentum in Europe. The Blues are perched on pole position in the group with ten points from five matches and a win in Turin tonight will ascertain them the top spot.

The trip to Turin comes as a welcome distraction for City, who are engulfed in off-pitch controversy. Key player and talisman Carlos Tevez handed in his transfer request after their win against West Ham that City promptly rejected.

Tevez has been City's best and most crucial player so far this season and perhaps tonight's match will allow Mancini to test whether his team can cope without the Argentina international striker, who could leave Eastlands in January.

TEAM NEWS

Juventus

Zdenek Grygera is back from injury and so is Nicola Legrottaglie. Juve legend Giampiero Boniperti's grandson Filippo has been included in the squad too.

Manchester City

Tevez was back training on Tuesday but he has not travelled to Turin. Mario Balotelli has been left behind in Manchester in fears of him suffering racial abuse from the Bianconeri supporters. Mancini could field a 4-4-1-1 formation with Yaya Toure playing as the main creator.

Prediction

Juventus have yet to win in the Europa League this season and the Italian giants will be tempted to wrap up their disappointing European campaign with a victory. However, with the Bianconeri going strong in Serie A, Luigi Del Neri may not like his side to exert themselves too much tonight, meaning that this could be yet another draw.

Juventus 1-1 Man City

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16-12-2010 19:00 Bayer Leverkusen - Atletico Madrid

Playing To Win

Bayer Leverkusen have already tied up top spot in Europa League Group B, but they will be the side to execute defending champions Atletico Madrid if they pick up a win at the BayArena on Thursday evening. For Atleti, it promises to be an extremely uncomfortable evening as even victory will not guarantee progress to the last 32.

Die Werkself have had surprisingly few problems negotiating their way to the knockout stages. The Bundesliga club are unbeaten, having earned three victories two date, two over Rosenborg and a home success against Aris. Impressively, the Germans have conceded only one goal, leaking in the away tie against los Colchoneros.

Despite their status in the next round, Lars Bender has promised Bayer’s fans that they should expect a thoroughly commitment performance from their side. “We play every game to win,” he told his club’s official website. “We won’t change that against Madrid. None of us wants to hear after the game that he didn’t do his best. There is a lot at stake in this match – not only for Madrid but also for Aris. So we will obviously do our best.”

Second in their domestic league but already a mammoth 11 points behind runaway leaders Borussia Dortmund, Bayer have lost only two fixtures in all competitions this season and won’t be willing to give up such an impressive statistic against unpredictable Atleti.

Don’t Look For Luck

In May, Atletico Madrid tasted the high point of 2010 as they defeated Fulham to claim the inaugural Europa League. By December, however, the unpredictable Colchoneros are at something of a low. Struggling for consistency in La Primera Division, they are also on the brink of continental elimination and don’t even hold the key to their own destiny.

A shock defeat at home against Greek minnows Aris – the second suffered against the Thessaloniki club in this competition - a fortnight ago ensure that a trip to Germany that was supposed to determine the group winners has instead become a fraught journey that may well end in disappointment.

“Right now we have the same points as Aris. They also have to win, but we will depend on ourselves and not look for luck,” Tiago told the press. “We must improve and perform regularly. Against Leverkusen we have nothing to lose; we as a team have to be more relaxed on the pitch.”

It was Atletico’s ability away from home in last season’s run to the final that caught the eye as they avoided defeat on their travels. Quique Sanchez Flores’ men were draw specialists, but it’s really three points they need on Thursday if they are to stand any chance of going through.

TEAM NEWS

Bayer

Rene Adler is set to be sidelined until next year due to a knee injury. Fabian Giefer will keep goal instead.

Michael Ballack continues to be ruled out, though the home side hold out hope that Stefan Kiessling can play.

Atletico

Quique Sanchez Flores has named a 19-man panel for this trip and has not raised any injury doubts. Tomas Ujfalusi has been omitted from the squad.

Prediction

Bayer have already proved themselves as ferociously difficult opponents to beat, and in front of their passionate home supporters they won’t go down readily. Atletico Madrid may have built last season’s Europa League triumph on their away success, but there is little to indicate they are ready to win this game at a clutch moment. It will finish all square and events elsewhere will dictate that the reign of los Colchoneros is over.

Leverkusen 1-1 Atletico Madrid

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