Juventus is off to one of the most bizarre starts to a soccer season that you’ll ever see.

The Old Lady has two wins and two draws from its first four matches, but things get funky when you look at the goal difference. Juve has scored six goals and allowed none, meaning they’ve played two nil-nil draws already, and have seen a total of 5.3 expected goals (xGF + xGA) in their four matches.

Thiago Motta’s side is taking low-event to a whole new level.

We’ll see if Juventus will bring this identity into their Champions League opener against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday.

Adding even more intrigue to Juve’s funky start to the season is the fact that they were shot of a cannon in their first two matches.

The Old Lady stomped Como, 3-0, in their opener and then overwhelmed Hellas Veronas by the same scoreline a week later.

But things came to a screeching halt against Roma in a drab nil-nil draw and it didn’t get any more exciting against Empoli on Saturday.

Juventus created just 1.4 expected goals in their last two contests, but they conceded just 0.8, so they’re certainly doing a lot right in their own half.

Eindhoven, meanwhile, are off to a very different start in the Eredivisie. Although it is a much weaker league compared to Serie A, winning your first five matches by an aggregate scoreline of 20-3 is downright impressive.

Like a lot of the clubs that succeed in the Netherlands, Eindhoven want to introduce pace and chaos to the game and keep things moving at all times. That is not how Juve want their matches to play out.

This contrast of styles should set up for a really interesting contest.

Juve’s defensive work under Thiago Motta could turn it into a contender in the Champions League, but it’s hard to back them with their offense sputtering at the moment.

As for Eindhoven, they check plenty of boxes you look for in a live underdog in the Champions League, but the quality of competition they’ve faced in the Eredivisie does leave a lot to be desired.

Throw in the fact that this kind of stylistic matchup — where two very different philosophies meet — often begins with a feeling-out process and you’ve got yourself all the makings for a very ugly first half of football.

Pick: 1H under 0.5 goals (+210, DraftKings)

Juventus vs. PSV: Preview & Prediction

Juventus will host PSV Eindhoven in a UEFA Champions League match on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. This will be the first meeting between these two teams in the Champions League, and both teams are coming off different starts to the season.

Juventus has been surprisingly dominant in defense, but their offense has been inconsistent. They’ve conceded zero goals in their first four Serie A matches but they are also coming off a 0-0 draw against Empoli. PSV, on the other hand, is on a roll in the Eredivisie, scoring goals at a rapid pace.

It’s hard to imagine both teams finding the back of the net early on in this match. The tactical styles of both teams will likely lead to a lot of tactical battles, and there could be a few questionable calls made by the referee.

Juventus manager Thiago Motta is expecting a tough test from PSV. He’s been impressed by their attacking prowess and sees this game as a chance for his team to prove themselves on the European stage. “We need to treat all of our opponents with great respect, and of course that includes PSV. But we need to focus on our duties on-pitch. They are confident with the ball and have quality players, so we need to win the ball back as much as possible and to try to make them play a game that shakes them out of their habits. We will have to be compact when defending, without leaving spaces between the lines. We need to be aggressive, impose our game and keep driving the things we do best, while at the same time trying to improve the others. I want to see a complete team.”

Betting Odds and Preview

Juventus is the favorite to win this game. The latest Juventus vs. PSV odds list Juventus as the -120 favorites (risk $120 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, with PSV as the +310 underdogs. A draw is priced at +270 and the over/under for total goals is 2.5.

Given Juventus’ strong defensive record and PSV’s attacking style, the over/under for total goals is 2.5 is an attractive bet. However, this game could be a low-scoring affair, and it is worth considering the under 0.5 goals in the first half. The first half will be about getting settled in, which will take some time given the different styles.

How To Watch & Live Stream Juventus vs. PSV

Fans can watch the match live on Paramount+, with their must-have Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, which you can now get for 50% off your first year plus a 7-day free trial. You can also catch full analysis on the CBS Sports Golazo Network.

Juve’s Return to the Champions League

Juventus is back in the Champions League after a year’s absence. Juventus’ Tuesday night fixture against reigning Dutch champions PSV Eidhoven marks their first Champions League game since 2022. During the interim, Juventus has witnessed massive changes in administration, management, and the squad; now, under new management and a busy summer transfer window, Juventus hope to assert itself as a dangerous and consistent figure within this new Champions League format.

Everyone at Juventus from the board to the fans has been waiting for this moment and hopes that the club can once again reach its historic heights and demonstrate Italian football’s, all too often, overlooked quality.

Juventus & PSV: What To Watch For

This match is a meeting of two contrasting styles, and one that will likely end in a tactical battle. Juventus will focus on defense and try to limit PSV’s attacking opportunities, which may lead to a very low-scoring affair. This means that the pace of the match will likely be determined by Juventus’ pace of play and whether they have the courage to break out of their defensive shell.

An Important Match for Both Teams

This match is a vital one for both teams. For Juventus, it’s a chance to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start. For PSV, it’s a chance to make a statement on the European stage.

The Last Word

This match is likely to be a tense and tactical affair. The first half will be slow and methodical as both sides get a feel for one another. But if Juventus can play with more confidence and creativity in the second half, they’ll be in a good position to win this game. However, if PSV is able to score first, Juventus will have to overcome their lack of offensive confidence and will need to figure out how to break down PSV’s high press and their high-paced attack.

The match will be streamed live on Paramount+.

Don’t miss the chance to catch this exciting Champions League match!