Juventus Turin vs Nice 31 July 2026 Prediction

Juventus will play its final friendly before leaving for a preseason tour of Asia and Australia against Nice. The clubs have also crossed paths several times in the transfer market in recent years. Khéphren Thuram moved from Nice to Turin, while Juventus completed a permanent deal for Jérémie Boga this summer.

The Squad Still Needs Reinforcements

Juventus collected only one point from its final two Serie A matches last season and missed out on Champions League qualification, but Luciano Spalletti remained in charge. His options in the transfer market are limited, as the club must sell players before completing any expensive signings. For now, Spalletti is using friendlies to assess young players and long-term reserves ahead of the new campaign.

Most of those players have failed to make a strong impression, which is reflected in Juventus’ results. The team scored only once across friendlies against Basel, 0-0, and Standard Liège, 1-0, despite neither opponent competing in Europe this season. That goal also came from a set piece rather than open play. Fabio Miretti has been one of the few players to consistently create danger in attack. Twenty-one-year-old midfielder Augusto Owusu has also performed well while replacing the injured Khéphren Thuram, contributing significant defensive work in central midfield.

New signings Jeff Ekhator and Zeki Çelik have both made their Juventus debuts, but Ekhator has already picked up an injury, while Çelik was signed mainly as a backup to right back Pierre Kalulu. Juventus is again expected to use an unfamiliar attacking lineup against Nice. Kenan Yıldız is still training individually, while Francisco Conceição and Jonathan David have only recently returned from vacation and are not ready to start. Miretti, Adin Ličina, and Arman Durmiši are the most likely replacements.

Nice Has Made a Strong Start Under Its New Manager

Nice had a competitive Ligue 1 squad last season but narrowly avoided relegation after defeating Saint-Étienne in the playoffs, drawing 0-0 away and winning 4-1 at home. Claude Puel was still replaced despite keeping the club in the top division. Olivier Pantaloni, who impressed during his time at Lorient, took over and has already led Nice to convincing friendly wins over Nîmes, 4-0, and Marseille, 3-0.

Pantaloni has retained Nice’s familiar 3-4-3 formation, focusing on a compact defensive block and a crowded central midfield. The team has yet to concede in preseason. Its counterattacks have also become more dangerous, with Moroccan winger Sofiane Diop scoring in both summer friendlies.

Nice plays at a high tempo and uses extensive rotation to maintain its intensity. The level of performance has remained consistent despite the changes, and the team looks well prepared even without making several major signings. The only new arrival is 33-year-old defensive midfielder Laurent Abergel, who followed Pantaloni from Lorient. He has adapted quickly, protects the defense effectively, and started both friendlies. He is expected to remain in the lineup against Juventus.

Juventus vs Nice Predicted Lineup

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Perin; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Owusu; Ličina, Miretti, Boga; Durmiši

Unavailable: Ekhator, Yıldız, Thuram (injured); González (not in the squad)

Manager: Luciano Spalletti

Nice (3-4-3): Boulhendi; Louchet, Ndayishimiye, Viti; Clauss, Coulibaly, Abergel, Bard; Cho, Diallo, Diop

Unavailable: Abdelmonem (injured)

Manager: Olivier Pantaloni

Juventus vs Nice Prediction: Nice Double Chance

Main prediction: Juventus and Nice began preseason at roughly the same time, but the French side has looked much more convincing. Spalletti is still searching for effective attacking combinations, while Pantaloni has already established a disciplined defensive structure. Nice also created dangerous counterattacks in both of its first two friendlies. Juventus, meanwhile, finished behind both Basel and Standard Liège in xG. The pick is Nice double chance at 2.22.

Total prediction: Nice’s new system is built around limiting the opponent, while Juventus has remained defensively solid even with an experimental lineup. Both teams have played two preseason matches and kept clean sheets in all four. A low-scoring game is likely. The pick is under 2.5 total goals at 2.25.