The Matchday 1 fixture of the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Juventus (Italy) and Borussia Dortmund (Germany) will take place on September 16 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Juventus
The team earned a spot in the Champions League group stage by finishing fourth in the previous Italian championship. Since the 2012/13 season, Juventus has only missed the main draw of this European competition once. In the last Champions League, the Turin side progressed through the group stage but was eliminated in the first knockout round by PSV (2-1, 1-2, extra time 0-1). Notably, in their last eight matches in this tournament, the club secured just two victories (3 draws, 3 losses).
- At least three goals have been scored in regular time in 6 of the last 9 home matches in the Champions League.
- The club conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 7 of the previous 8 home encounters in this European competition.
- The Turin side failed to win the second half in 5 of their last 6 home games in the Champions League (2 draws, 3 losses).
Predicted lineup for Juventus (3-4-3)
Michele Di Gregorio – Federico Gatti, Lloyd Kelly, Gleison Bremer – Pierre Kalulu, Khephren Thuram, Manuel Locatelli, Joao Mario – Teun Koopmeiners, Jonathan David, Kenan Yildiz.
Midfielder Fabio Miretti and forward Francisco Conceicao will miss the match due to injuries.
Borussia Dortmund
The team finished fourth in the previous German championship, securing a place in the Champions League group stage. This marks Borussia Dortmund's tenth consecutive season in the main draw of this European competition, with their best achievement during this period being a final appearance in 2024 – where they lost 0-2 to Real Madrid. In the last Champions League campaign, Dortmund reached the quarter-finals, where they were outplayed by Barcelona (0-4, 3-1). It's worth noting that the team has suffered only one defeat in their last seven matches in this tournament (4 wins, 2 draws).
- Exactly three goals have been scored in regular time in 5 of the last 7 away matches in the Champions League.
- The team scored at least twice in 90 minutes in 5 of the previous 7 away games in this European competition.
- Dortmund did not concede in the first half in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Borussia Dortmund (3-4-3)
Gregor Kobel – Julian Ryerson, Waldemar Anton, Ramy Bensebaini – Yan Couto, Felix Nmecha, Job Bellingham, Daniel Svensson – Carney Chukwuemeka, Serhou Guirassy, Maximilian Bayer.
Defenders Aaron Anselmino, Niklas Sule, Emre Can, and Nico Schlotterbeck, as well as forward Fabio Silva, will not play due to injuries.
Referee
Francois Letexier (France)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 71;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.7;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 40%.
Juventus vs. Borussia Dortmund: Match Prediction
At home, the Turin side strives to play an attacking style, focusing heavily on creativity. Thanks to this approach, Juventus scores regularly: in their last 15 home matches in the Champions League, they failed to find the net in only three games, and in eight instances during this period, they scored at least twice. Meanwhile, in 8 of their last 9 away games in this European competition, the club could not keep a clean sheet.
Borussia also favors an aggressive forward play and rarely faces difficulties breaking down opponents' defenses, even away from home: in their last 12 away fixtures in the Champions League, the Germans failed to score only once. Moreover, in six matches during this period, the team scored at least two goals. However, Dortmund's defense is not always reliable: in their last 23 away games in this tournament, Borussia kept a clean sheet only five times.
I expect both teams to score in this encounter, and my prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
