Dynamo Kiev vs Gent
29 September 2000hrs
Football – Europe – Champions League
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker Betfair
Odds: 4/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Monday 28 September
Dynamo are in a commanding position after the first leg having won 2-1 in Belgium. Gent know they need at least two goals if they are to qualify for the Champions League group stages.
Table of Contents
Dynamo Kiev Preview – Can Ukrainians complete the job and qualify for the group stages?
Mircea Lucescu has won the Ukrainian Premier League eight times – all of which came during his time with Shakthar Donetsk. The veteran Romanian coach has switched sides if the big divide in the Balkan country, taking charge of Dynamo Kiev this summer. His mandate is a simple if challenging one. Attempt to curb his former club’s domestic domination and get Dynamo competing regularly in the group stages of the Champions League and beyond.
Kiev currently sit top of their division but with only four games played it is far too early to determine whether they can be seen as viable challengers to their rivals.
What is looking more likely at this stage is Dynamo Kiev’s participation in the lucrative group stages. It was a good performance in Belgium a week ago and has put them on the cusp of going beyond this playoff round for the first time in four years.
The impressive Viktor Tsygankov will be a key player once again in his club’s bid to avoid any upsets tomorrow. The attacking midfielder has scored 45 league goals across the last three seasons and already has three for this campaign.
Gent Preview – Are Gent capable of coming from behind and reaching group stage for first time in five years?
Like their opponents tomorrow, it’s been some time since Gent were playing in the group stages of the Champions League. It’s a year longer for the Belgians who made it through to the round of 16 only to lose out to Wolfsburg that season. Such feats seem a long way off just now for Wim De Decker’s men, however. De Decker is even newer in the job than his opponents tomorrow and knows his team will be up against it if they are to be overturn this deficit.
It’s been a really disappointing start to the domestic season for Gent which doesn’t inspire confidence. They set 15th coming into this game with only six points from their first seven matches.
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Gent reached the playoff round courtesy of a 2-1 win at home to Rapid Vienna in the previous round. The man who scored the winner in that game, Roman Yaremchuk, will be facing his old club at his old stomping ground tomorrow. The current Ukrainian international never really made an impact at Dynamo before moving to Gent in 2016.
It’s a limited sample of just five games but Gent have only won one away game in this competition in their history. That was a 2-1 win away to Lyon.
Dynamo Kiev vs Gent Betting Advice
There’s no doubt that Dynamo are favourites but they have to show they can cope with that expectation. The pressure is even more due to the fact that they haven’t played in the Champions League proper for four years which has been a real failing of theirs in recent years.
Gent can play the role of underdogs not only because of the current score but also with how they have started the season. Nobody expects them to be in the draw for the group stage and that makes them dangerous.
Key Facts – Dynamo Kiev vs Gent Betting Tip
- Carlos de Pena’s goal in the closing stages has given Dynamo Kiev a significant advantage at the halfway stage
- Dynamo are unbeaten in their last six home games in the Champions League – conceding in only two of them
- Gent are looking to qualify for just their second ever group stage having reached the knockouts in 2015/16
Both teams to score is the selection in this game. Gent are going to throw everything they have at their opponents and know they can’t afford to sit back. The Belgians have scored in eight of their 10 games this season and can do so again. They’ve also conceded in eight and I have little faith in them keeping their hosts out here.
Best Betting Odds for Dynamo Kiev vs Gent
Dynamo Kiev to win: 20/23 Betfair
Draw: 23/10 at Betfair
Gent: 29/10 at Betfair
