Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica braced for tight Champions League play-off first leg
Dynamo Kiev vs SL Benfica - 17/08/2022
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The UEFA Champions League play-offs continue on Wednesday, with Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica meeting for the first leg of their clash.
Although Dynamo Kyiv are classed as the home side, the first leg will take place in Poland due to the current situation in Ukraine.
Can Dynamo Kyiv continue their plucky bid to secure Champions League football? Or will Benfica punch their ticket to the competition? It’s time to take a closer look at both sides.
Let’s start with Dynamo Kiev, who have come through two qualification rounds to reach the play-offs – knocking out Fenerbahce and Sturm Graz.
After claiming a 2-1 aggregate victory against Fenerbahce, the Ukrainians sealed a 3-1 triumph over Sturm Graz.
Dynamo Kyiv’s last domestic game came all the way back in December. Since then, they have played 29 friendlies – recording 18 wins, seven draws and four losses.
Although Dynamo Kyiv have dispatched Fenerbahce and Sturm Graz, a lack of regular domestic action could hinder their chances of progressing.
On the flip side, Benfica have only come through one qualifying round to reach the play-offs. In the previous round, they hammered Midtjylland 7-2 on aggregate.
Goncalo Ramos netted a hat-trick as Benfica won the first leg 4-1. Ramos also scored as his side won the second leg 3-1.
The Eagles find themselves atop the Portuguese Primeira Liga after kicking off the campaign with back-to-back wins.
Having racked up five goals and two clean sheets in the league, Benfica will be confident of gaining a healthy advantage on Wednesday.
Head-to-head: Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica have faced each other six times in the Champions League. The Ukrainians have only managed to win on one occasion.
The two sides met in the group stage last season. Following a goalless draw in Kyiv, Benfica claimed a 2-0 victory on home soil.
Team news: Dynamo Kyiv will be without the injured duo of Volodymyr Kostevych and Vladyslav Supryaga on Wednesday.
Benfica have three players sidelined due to injury, with Lucas Verissimo, Joao Victor and Joao Mario expected to miss the first leg.
With so much at stake, both sides are expected to approach the first leg with caution. As a result, we are likely to see a tense, low-scoring encounter on Wednesday.
Forebet predicts that Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica play out a low-scoring draw in Poland, with both teams netting under 1.5 goals.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
UCL
204535
X
1 - 1
1.48
25°
3.75
4.75
3.75
1.70
no
no
no
0 - 2(0 - 2)
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