Juventus are targeting a top-eight finish in the league phase of the Europa League. They’ll be expecting three points when they kick off their campaign against NEC Nijmegen at the Allianz Stadium.

Selection issues limit rotation options for Juventus

There was a late setback for Juventus on Sunday, when they conceded a 94th-minute goal to lose 3-2 at Sassuolo in Serie A. Edon Zhegrova came off the bench to score twice for La Vecchia Signora. However, he won’t feature in this game as he’s not in Luciano Spalletti’s European squad.

The hosts are also missing Manuel Locatelli, Kenan Yıldız, Khéphren Thuram, Juan Cabal, Jérémie Boga and Jeff Ekhator due to injuries. Lloyd Kelly is suspended, and they have an additional fitness doubt over Andrea Cambiaso.

Loanee Nick Woltemade is pushing for a starting role up front. The German international scored eight times in 33 Premier League appearances last season for his parent club Newcastle.

Juventus predicted lineup vs NEC Nijmegen (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Kalulu, Bremer, Lucumí, Çelik; Luiz, Koopmeiners; Conceição, N. González, Alajbegović; Woltemade.

Chery leading the way for NEC Nijmegen

The Europa League is a big priority for NEC Nijmegen, who should field a strong lineup. They suffered a 3-0 defeat to Cambuur in the Eredivisie at the weekend. They were also hit by a couple of injuries in that game, with Gonzalo Crettaz and Emre Mor both needing to be replaced.

Nikolas Polster should start in goal here in place of Crettaz. Dick Schreuder is also missing defender Deveron Fonville due to an injury.

Veteran attacking midfielder Tjaronn Chery has provided the main threat so far this term for NEC. The 38-year-old has scored three times and assisted once in five league appearances. He’s averaging 3.4 shots per game in the Dutch top flight.

NEC Nijmegen predicted lineup vs Juventus (3-4-2-1): Polster; Storm, Sandler, Kabar; Tahaui, Nejašmić, Geiger, Bischoff; Lebreton, Chery; Sierhuis.

Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Juventus to win
  • Odds: 1.24 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Juventus 3-0 NEC Nijmegen
  • 22Bet Booking Code: UMZUU

Key stats:

  • Juventus have won four of their past six matches, including friendlies.
  • NEC Nijmegen have lost four of their last six fixtures.
  • Across all competitions, the Dutch side have conceded 19 times in 10 games this term.

Backing Juventus to win is a safe pick. They have much more experience in European competition than their opponents, who are playing continental football for the first time in 18 years.

Prior to their weekend loss, Juve had been defending well, with only one goal conceded in their first three Serie A outings. La Vecchia Signora will have too much quality across the pitch for a NEC Nijmegen side who are only averaging 1.17 points per game in their domestic league.

Juventus vs NEC Nijmegen Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Juventus to score over 2.5 goals
  • Odds: 1.85 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 8J9UU

NEC Nijmegen have conceded three goals in four of their last six fixtures. They did so in both legs of their Champions League play-off tie with Bodø/Glimt, losing heavily by a 6-1 margin on aggregate.

Juventus are unbeaten in 16 home matches in this competition in a run that stretches back to the turn of the century. They offer value to score over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.85.

Verdict: Juventus to win (1.24) — Juventus 3-0 NEC Nijmegen