Prediction: Dynamo Kyiv vs Besiktas

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Two sides who will be desperate to pick up a first-leg advantage on Thursday evening, Dynamo Kyiv and Besiktas will meet at the Superbet Arena in Bucharest.

Dynamo Kyiv

Starting with Dynamo Kyiv, eventually extending on their Europa Conference League qualifying adventure earlier in the month as they edged past Aris following a nail-biting affair, Dynamo Kyiv will know the importance of picking up a first-leg adventure here. However, forced to settle for a downbeat fourth-place finish among Ukraine’s elite last season, Mircea Surkis’ side have once again struggled with their consistency. Failing to pick up any kind of momentum over the weekend as they slumped to an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the hands of Odessa while on domestic duties, Kyiv are also forced to play their European home fixtures away from the NSC Olimpiyskiy. Despite mounting that stellar second-leg comeback against Aris on August 17th, the Blue & White are seeking some much-needed defensive resolve. It should be highlighted, Surkis’ men have failed to record a clean sheet in any of their previous four appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike away at Odessa a few days ago, former West Ham attacker Andriy Yarmolenko should spearhead Surkis’ charge on Thursday evening.

Handed a rest over the weekend, 31-year-old Oleksandr Karavaev could be handed a full recall after an impressive second-leg display against Aris earlier in the month. Likewise, number-one keeper Georgiy Bushchan will return between the sticks here.

Besiktas

As for Besiktas, while the Turkish heavyweights might have been disappointed after only collecting a single point at home against Pendikspor over the weekend, the mood in Senol Gunes’ camp should be at a continued high. Extending on their Europa Conference League qualifying adventure earlier in the month as they claimed a lively 5-2 aggregate victory against Nefci Baku, the Black Eagles have continued to gain a string of praise on either side of the summer break. Opening the 2023/24 Super Lig campaign with a rugged 1-0 victory away at Karagumruk, Gunes’ men are unbeaten in each of their last 19 straight competitive contests continuing on from last season. With that extended flurry stemming all the way back to February 4th, Besiktas will be looking to make a first-leg statement here. Appearing to have found a real clinical edge in the final third while on European duties, the Turkish outfit could be smelling a chance in midweek.

Team News

All missing out away at Pendikspor over the weekend, Besiktas will travel out to Hungary without the likes of Kerem Kalafat, Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov and Tayyip Talha Sanuc.

Coming off the bench and making his debut on Sunday, former Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could make his full start on Thursday evening. Ex-AC Milan attacker Ante Rebic will be hoping to spearhead Gunes’ charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back in December 2016, Dynamo Kyiv picked up a thumping 6-0 romp while in Champions League action.
• Likewise, the Ukrainian outfit have lost just one of their last seven meetings against Thursday’s opponents across all competitions.
• However, Kyiv have failed to record a single clean sheet in any of their last four appearances.
• Besiktas are remarkably unbeaten in each of their last 19 straight competitive contests continuing on from last season.
• The Black Eagles have also not lost a single contest on their travels since back on February 4th.

Conclusion

While Dynamo Kyiv might have stormed their way to that stunning 6-0 romp when they last met Thursday’s opponents back in 2016, the Ukrainian outfit will know that they face a far tougher test here. Failing to keep a clean sheet in any of their last four appearances across all formats, they will also meet a Besiktas side that are riding an extended wave of momentum. Remarkably unbeaten in each of their last 19 straight competitive showdowns, we are expecting what could be an enjoyable battle in Bucharest

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Luckster