Italian champions Juventus will be looking to make it back-to-back wins over Lokomotiv Moscow when they travel to Russia in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Maurizio Sarri's side recorded a 2-1 victory in the reverse match to move onto seven points in Group D, leaving Lokomotiv with just three points to show from their three games in the section.
Match preview
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Lokomotiv are certainly not out of it when it comes to challenging for a top-two spot, but it would probably be fair to say that the Russian outfit will need to beat Juve on Wednesday night to stand a chance of qualifying.
The Moscow giants are third in Group D with three points, four points off second-placed Atletico Madrid and leaders Juve, who both have seven points to show from their two matches in the section.
Lokomotiv started their campaign with an impressive 2-1 win away to Bayer Leverkusen but have lost their last two at home to Atletico and away to Juve. It was always going to be tough to book their spot in the round of 16, although securing third - and a spot in the Europa League - would be considered a success.
Yuri Semin's side will enter the match off the back of a 1-1 draw with FC Ufa in the league on Saturday, which has left them third in the Russian Premier League, just three points off leaders Zenit St Petersburg.
Lokomotiv have actually only won five of their last 14 European fixtures in Moscow, while they have lost three of their four games with Italian opposition on home soil, which is not a record that will fill the supporters with too much confidence heading into Wednesday's key clash.
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As mentioned, Juve top Group D heading into the next set of fixtures with seven points to show from their three matches. The Old Lady opened with a 2-2 draw away to Atletico before recording wins over Leverkusen and Lokomotiv in their next two to lead the section at the halfway point.
It was far from plain sailing at home to Lokomotiv last time out as they actually trailed for a long period. Paulo Dybala came up with a leveller in the 77th minute, however, before the Argentine struck a winner two minutes later to secure three important points.
This is the 20th year that Juve have been present in the group stages of the Champions League, and the Serie A giants have reached the round of 16 or better in 16 of the previous 19. Last season, Juve made it to the quarter-finals, where they were surprisingly knocked out by Dutch giants Ajax.
Incredibly, Juve have actually lost each of their last five European Cup finals, while they have not lifted the trophy since 1996. While holding off the threat of Inter Milan to land another Serie A title would be considered a success, this is the competition that the club really want to win this season.
Sarri's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 win over Torino in Serie A at the weekend, which saw them return to the summit ahead of Inter, who have been excellent under Antonio Conte this season.
Lokomotiv Moscow form: WLL
Juventus form: DWW
Team News
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Lokomotiv have a number of injury problems at the moment with both Jefferson Farfan and Boris Rotenberg long-term absentees, while Fedor Smolov, Luka Djordjevic and Anton Miranchuk remain on the sidelines.
Maciej Rebus recovered from a groin problem to feature against Ufa at the weekend, though, and there is a chance that the winger could play from the outset in this match.
A five-man defence is expected to include both Vedran Corluka and Benedikt Howedes, while Grzegorz Krychowiak and Joao Mario should both feature in midfield.
As for Juve, Giorgio Chiellini and Mattia Perin remain long-term absentees, while Mario Mandzukic and Emre Can are ineligible having been left out of the Champions League squad.
Mattia De Sciglio bounced back from a thigh injury to feature against Torino on Saturday, while the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Danilo and Douglas Costa are all fit following recent injury problems.
Gonzalo Higuain is also available after overcoming a head injury, although Dybala is expected to keep his spot in attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lokomotiv Moscow possible starting lineup: Guilherme; Idowu, Howedes, Corluka, Murilo, Ignatyev; Krychowiak, Barunov, Mario; Eder, Kolomeytsev
Juventus possible starting lineup: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, De Ligt, Sandro; Khedira, Pjanic, Matuidi; Bernardeschi; Ronaldo, Dybala
We say: Lokomotiv Moscow 0-1 Juventus
Lokomotiv showed in Turin last month that they are not to be taken lightly, and it would not be a surprise to see the hosts pick up a result on Wednesday night. Juve know what it takes to win these sort of matches, though, and we just fancy Sarri's side to emerge victorious when all is said and done.
Matt Law
