Tuesday Champions League Betting Odds, Predictions & Picks: Dynamo Kiev vs. Juventus (Oct. 20)

Dynamo Kiev vs. Juventus Odds

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Things could get interesting on Tuesday when Dynamo Kiev hosts global powerhouse Juventus on opening day of Champions League action.

Dynamo Kiev, one of Ukraine's most decorated and storied clubs, is hoping its return to Europe's most prestigious tournament reaps some big rewards. The Ukrainian Premier League leader took the long route to get here but should be ready to show it belongs on one of soccer's grandest stages.

On the other side, Juventus is hoping it can make another deep run into the knockout phase of the competition. However, the club has to begin its quest without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo and Weston McKennie. Both players were ruled out after positive COVID-19 tests.

What makes this fixture quite intriguing is the fact these clubs haven't faced each other in 18 years.

That said, let's take a deeper look at the sides:

Dynamo Kiev

Dynamo Kiev makes its first group stage appearance since the 2016 edition of the tournament. The club needed wins against Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar and Belgian club Gent to get to this point, so manager Mircea Lucescu and his players have to be embracing this opportunity.

Dynamo Kiev is the best of the best at the moment in Ukraine's top flight, going 4-0-2 through its first six matches to sit tied with FC Vorskla Poltava atop the table. Even more impressive is its 7-0-2 record through nine matches across all competitions.

The club, which has finished runner-up to Shahktar Donestk four years running, has recorded 14 goals and conceded a league-low three for a +11 goal differential.

Expected goals (also known as xG) is an advanced statistic that gives an indication of whether results are based on sustainable factors like a steady creation of scoring chances, or whether it is down to aspects such as luck or outstanding goalkeeping.

Juventus

Juventus has been anything but great at the start of its Serie A campaign.

The Old Lady is 2-2-0 in its opening four matches and sits four points back of league-leading AC Milan. Add in the fact Ronaldo and McKennie won't be in the starting XI, and you have some questions surrounding a club making the long Ukraine journey.

Juventus, making its 21st appearance in this tournament, has been a model of consistency, reaching the Round of 16 on 18 occasions. Anything less than that would be considered a disaster for manager Andrea Pirlo and the club.

When comparing its numbers against Dynamo Kiev, it's hard to match these clubs up due to the fact they play in very different leagues with a glaring difference in competition.

With that said, I can tell you Juventus is just slightly above middle of the pack in most statistical categories among Serie A clubs. Juventus currently sits on 5.4 expected goals and 4.6 expected goals against, resulting in a +0.8 xGDiff and +0.25 xGDiff/90 minutes in Italy's top flight.

Dynamo Kiev-Juventus Picks

If these sides were at full strength, Juventus would be an even bigger favorite in this spot, regardless as to where the fixture was taking place.

However, the fact that Juventus will be without Ronaldo and McKennie, the U.S. international on a one-year loan deal from Bundesliga side Schalke, creates issues that make it a tighter tilt than it would be under normal circumstances.

That said, I am going to stay off a side and back both teams to score. Dynamo Kiev has been in top form thus far and catches a Juventus side that is not firing on all cylinders. The Ukrainian giants might not get the win, but they should have an ample amount of opportunities to crack their foe's backline.

Throw in the fact Juventus has given up at least one goal in six of its last seven Champions League away matches, and I like my chances in this spot.

I am also going to play the total going over the number on an alternative line. Currently, it sits at 2.5 goals, so I am going to take it to 2.25 goals instead and play it with confidence.

Picks: Total Over 2.25 Goals (-127) | Both Teams To Score — Yes (-112)

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