Match Overview

The opening fixture of the 2025/26 general stage will see Juventus (Italy) face Borussia Dortmund (Germany) on September 16 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. This preview provides a comprehensive match prediction, including odds analysis and relevant statistics for this highly anticipated encounter.

Juventus Team Analysis

Juventus secured their spot in the group stage by finishing fourth in the preceding Italian Serie A season. Since the 2012/13 campaign, the Bianconeri have been a regular participant in this prestigious European competition, missing the main draw only once. In their previous run, the Turin giants advanced past the group stage but were ultimately knocked out in the first playoff round by PSV Eindhoven (a 2:1 win, followed by a 1:2 defeat, and a 0:1 loss in extra time). Notably, Juventus has recorded just two victories in their last eight matches, alongside three draws and three defeats.

Key Juventus Statistics

• A minimum of three goals were scored in regular time in 6 of Juventus’s last 9 home matches.
• The club conceded exactly one or two goals in 90 minutes in 7 of their previous 8 home fixtures in this European competition.
• Juventus failed to win the second half in 5 of their last 6 home encounters (2 draws, 3 losses).

Juventus Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)

Michele Di Gregorio – Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Gleison Bremer – Pierre Kalulu, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, João Mário – Teun Koopmeiners, Jonathan David, Kenan Yıldız.

Juventus Injury Update

Defender Juan Cabal is expected to miss the match due to injury.

Borussia Dortmund Team Analysis

Borussia Dortmund qualified for the general stage by securing a fourth-place finish in the last German Bundesliga season. This marks their tenth consecutive season in the main draw of this elite European competition. Their most notable recent achievement was reaching the final in 2024, where they narrowly lost 0:2 to Real Madrid. In the previous campaign, Dortmund reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Barcelona (0:4, 3:1). The team has shown strong form in the tournament recently, suffering only one defeat in their last seven matches, securing four wins and two draws.

Key Borussia Dortmund Statistics

• Exactly three goals were scored in regular time in 5 of Borussia Dortmund’s last 7 away matches.
• The team found the net at least twice in 90 minutes in 5 of their previous 7 away fixtures in this European competition.
• Dortmund kept a clean sheet in the first half in 6 of their last 8 away matches.

Borussia Dortmund Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)

Gregor Kobel – Aaron Anselmino, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini – Yan Couto, Felix Nmecha, Jobe Bellingham, Daniel Svensson – Carney Chukwuemeka, Serhou Guirassy, Maximilian Beier.

Borussia Dortmund Injury Update

Defenders Niklas Süle, Emre Can, and Nico Schlotterbeck, along with forward Fabio Silva, are all sidelined due to injuries.

Match Prediction: Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund

Offensive Strength Analysis

Playing on home turf, Juventus tends to adopt an attacking approach, dedicating considerable effort to creative offensive play. This strategy has consistently led to goals: in their last 15 home matches, Juventus failed to score in only three instances, and on eight occasions during this period, they netted at least two goals. However, their defense has been less consistent, failing to keep a clean sheet in 8 of their last 9 home matches in this competition.

Borussia Dortmund also prioritizes an active forward-thinking game and rarely struggles to break down opponents’ defenses, even when playing away from home. In their last 12 away encounters, the German side failed to score only once. Moreover, in six of these matches, their players managed to score at least two goals. Yet, Dortmund’s defense isn’t always impenetrable; in their last 23 away matches in this tournament, Borussia has only managed five clean sheets.

Betting Tip

Given the attacking tendencies of both teams and their respective defensive vulnerabilities, I anticipate goals from both sides in this match. My prediction is: “Both Teams To Score – Yes” with odds of 1.66