Villarreal held Real Madrid and trashed Espanyol 5-0 this season, and they are the reigning Europa League champion
By Kehinde Okeowo
Juventus welcome Villarreal to the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, 16th March for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, after the two teams played a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.
The Italian giants will be aware that the La Liga outfit are capable of causing an upset after pegging them back in the 66th minute of the first encounter after they had taken the lead in the 1st minute.
The Hunchback, as Juventus are known, have the better form, as they have won their last four domestic games since they last faced the Spaniards.
But Villarreal are no pushovers, they drew against Real Madrid and trashed Espanyol 5-0 earlier in the season, and they are also the reigning Europa League champions.
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The official in charge of the very tricky encounter is the no-nonsense Polish referee, Szymon Marciniak.
Juventus are slight favourites to progress into the rounds of eight given their current form and home advantage, but Villareal are capable of shocking them.
French champions Lille will also host Premier League side and FIFA Club World Cup champions, Chelsea at the Stade Pierre Mauroy Stadium on the same day.
The Blues go into the encounter, which will be officiated by Italian referee, Davide Massa with a 2-0 aggregate lead.
Lille do not have the form which gave them the title last season, they are currently 6th in Ligue 1 with 45 points from 28 games, they are also 22 points away from league leaders, Paris St Germain.
Chelsea, in contrast, have won the last three games since the two teams last met, Lille will attempt a comeback but the London club are expected to qualify for the quarter-final.
