Preview: Juventus Women vs. Zurich Women - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts, who currently sit in third position, are two points adrift of second-place Juventus, while Zurich have already been eliminated after losing all four of their group games.

Match preview

Juventus began the group stage with a 2-0 victory over Zurich, but they have failed to build upon that result, picking up two points from their last three European games.

After playing 1-1 draws against Lyon and Arsenal, the Italian champions were narrowly beaten in their reverse fixture against the Gunners last week.

Vivianne Miedema's first half strike condemned Juventus to a 1-0 defeat, which leaves them with work to do if they are to reach the quarter-finals.

Joe Montemurro's side will at least head into Thursday's contest in a confident mood after beating Serie A leaders Roma 4-2 at the weekend to reduce the gap at the top of the table to three points.

They now have chance to claim consecutive victories, and if they manage to win on Thursday they head into their final group game against Lyon with the opportunity to progress to the Champions League knockout rounds.

While Juventus are bidding to finish in the top two, Zurich know that they will exit the Champions League once the group stage has been concluded.

The Swiss side have lost all four of their group games, conceding 12 goals and only scoring on one occasion, during a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.

In their most recent outing against European champions Lyon, they managed to keep the deficit to just one goal for over 60 minutes, before a brace from Melvine Malard and a stoppage-time strike from Delphine Cascarino helped the French side claim a comfortable 4-0 win.

With the Swiss Women's Super League on a winter break, Zurich have had a week to prepare for Thursday's fixture, and although they cannot reach the knockout rounds, they will want to avoid finishing the group stage without a point.

Holding Juventus to at least a draw may prove difficult, though, as Zurich have lost their last 10 games in the main draw of the Champions League.

Juventus Women Women's Champions League form:

Juventus Women form (all competitions):

Zurich Women Women's Champions League form:

Zurich Women (all competitions) form:

Team News

Juventus are still without the services of Amanda Nilden, who has been sidelined since the end of October.

Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir could also miss out after she was forced off in the first half of Sunday's league win over Roma.

After dropping down to the bench at the weekend, Arianna Caruso and Barbara Bonansea are expected to return to the starting lineup.

As for the visitors, Seraina Friedli will continue in goal, and she will be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Julia Stierli and Laura Vetterlein.

After featuring as a second half substitute against Lyon last week, Viktoria Pinther could be brought into the starting lineup.

Seraina Piubel is the only Zurich player who has scored in the group stage this season, and she is expected to feature in the front two alongside Fabienne Humm.

Juventus Women possible starting lineup:

Peyraud-Magnin; Lenzini, Sembrant, Salvai, Boattin; Caruso, Junge Pedersen, Grosso; Bonansea, Beerensteyn, Girelli

Zurich Women possible starting lineup:

Friedli; Megroz, Stierli, Vetterlein, Pando; Riesen, Bernauer, Rey, Pinther; Piubel, Humm

We say: Juventus Women 3-0 Zurich Women

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