Juventus v Shakhtar: Vidal to inspire Bianconeri win

Arturo Vidal celebrates his strike in Saturday's win over Roma

This Juventus team are quickly emerging as the strongest Italian team in the Champions League since Inter won it back in 2009/10...

Juventus v Shakhtar, Tuesday 19:45, Sky Sports Red Button, Match Odds: Juventus 1.618/13, Shakhtar 6.611/2, The Draw 4.3100/30

Both teams come into this clash defending unbeaten records this season, though it's Shakhtar's which appears under considerably more threat in Turin, regardless of their flawless domestic start.

Juventus have begun the defence of their Serie A crown in imperious form - taking 16 points from a possible 18 - and are already strong 1.558/15 favourites for successive scudettos.

The acid test for great sides is undoubtedly found in Europe's glamour competition however, as teams such as Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund discovered last season when exiting at the group stage.

Though the evidence from their opening 2-2 draw against Chelsea strongly suggests this Juve side have the minerals to mix it with the best.

Antonio Conte's team displayed great character to come back from a two-goal deficit at Stamford Bridge and also showed considerable swagger at times too.

The ageless Andrea Pirlo proved that he is still a master craftsman when it comes to the art of passing and, in Giorgio Chiellini, the Italians possess perhaps the most uncompromising defender on the planet.

They also carry goal threats all over the park, so much so that Italian internationals Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella will likely be on the bench, while midfielders like the talented Chilean Arturo Vidal regularly pop up too.

And as Opta tell us, Shakhtar will be up against one of European football's most formidable home records at the new Juventus Stadium where the hosts have only suffered one defeat in their last 22, winning twelve of those.

Juventus to win to nil

The success of any team depends largely on keeping goals out, not just scoring them, something of course for which Italian teams are historically famed for.

This Juventus side is no different, no surprise when your goalkeeper is Gianluigi Buffon and you have Chiellini playing just in front of him. In their three home games to date this term, Juve have only conceded one goal, and that from the penalty spot when coasting at 3-0 against Roma on Saturday.

To score

The home side have goal threats all over the park with nine different players having already netted in just six Serie A games and, as he proved against Chelsea, Vidal is one of the more potent.

The Chilean has three goals to his name in 2012/13 including notching from the spot in his side's 4-1 romp over Roma on Saturday. Being responsible for penalty duty means his chances of registering will always be high.

Best Bet: Back Juventus to win to nil @ 2.727/4
Other Recommended Bet: Back Arturo Vidal to score @ 3.9n/a