Prediction: Benfica vs Dynamo Kyiv

Verdict: Benfica win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to finish off the job on Tuesday night and book their Champions League groups stage ticket, Benfica will welcome Dynamo Kyiv to the Estádio da Luz.

Benfica

Starting with the hosts, while Benfica might have been disappointed to have had to settle for a bronze medal finish while on domestic duties last season, the Eagles are in the midst of a summer purple patch. Enjoying a real boost since Head Coach Roger Schmidt made the move to Portugal back in May, the Reds are sat in pole position to book their spot in the group stages of this year’s Champions League. Putting in an eye-catching display last week as they eventually picked up a 2-0 victory against Dynamo Kyiv, the one-time Bayer Leverkusen boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Opening up the 2022/23 Primeira Liga with back-to-back 4-0 and 1-0 victories against Arouca and Casa Pia, Schmidt’s side have now won each of their last 11 straight matchups across all formats continuing on from last season. Really impressing at both ends of the pitch, Benfica will simply be looking to avoid a second-leg banana skin here.

Team News

Benfica have confirmed that the duo of Joao Victor and Lucas Verissimo will once again miss out on Tuesday night as they deal with a pair of injury issues.

After claiming that first-leg 2-0 victory last week, Schmidt is expected to name the same starting XI here.

Dynamo Kyiv

As for the visitors, suffering that first-leg 2-0 loss when they faced off against the Portuguese giants last week, there is no doubt that Dynamo Kyiv will know that face a real uphill struggle here. Watching last season’s Ukrainian Premier League get scrapped due to the ongoing issues within Ukraine, Mircea Lucescu’s men have simply been trying to find a way to keep themselves busy. However, while they might have been limited to playing friendly matchups over recent months, the Blue and Whites have still impressed while on European duties. Booking their final showdown against Benfica after knocking out both Sturm Graz and Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce, Dynamo are trying to complete what would be an emotional fairytale. Nevertheless, largely outplayed when they faced off against the Eagles last week, they do hold a worrying record against Tuesday’s opponents. Including that 2-0 loss on August 17th, they have failed to win any of their last six meetings against Benfica.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term injury that has kept him out for the past eight months, 29-year-old Vladyslav Supryaga will once again miss out here.

However, after missing the first-leg due to suspension, both Denys Garmash and Sergiy Sydorchuck are expected to make their return on Tuesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off on first-leg duties last week, Benfica picked up a 2-0 victory.
• Likewise, Tuesday’s hosts are unbeaten in each of their last six meetings against Tuesday’s guests, recording five wins and one draw.
• However, each of their previous five meetings have finished with under 2.5 goals.
• Including their pre-season run, Benfica have won each of their last 11 matchups across all formats.
• Dynamo Kyiv have failed to win any of their previous eight Champions League away fixtures within 90 minutes.

Conclusion

While neutrals from across Europe might have been backing Dynamo Kyiv to complete what would be an emotional fairytale for the Ukrainian outfit, they face a huge uphill struggle here. Eventually getting hit with a first-leg 2-0 defeat when they faced off against Benfica last week, the Eagles are in the midst of what has become quite the purple patch. Enjoying a remarkable 11-match winning run across all competitions, they also hold a rather rampant record against Tuesday’s opponents. Including that 2-0 win on August 17th, the Eagles are unbeaten in each of their previous six meetings against Lucescu’s side. Sat in pole position to book their group stage ticket for this year’s Champions League, we’re backing a home victory here.

Verdict: Benfica win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Unibet