Dynamo Kiev vs Red Bull Salzburg Predictions

• Salzburg are unbeaten in eight competitive outings
• Eight of Salzburg’s last 14 Champions League games have gone under 2.5 goals
• Dynamo Kiev’s last two Champions League matches have gone under 2.5 goals

Salzburg may be too hot to handle

Dynamo Kiev’s reward for coming past Rangers in the third round of Champions League qualifying is a playoff tie with Salzburg and they should be expecting a sterner test of their credentials.

The Ukranians, who still have to play on neutral ground, were held to a 1-1 draw by Rangers here at Arena Lublin before capitalising on the second-half red card of Brazilian full-back Jefte in a 2-0 victory at Ibrox.

However, it was a pretty even contest until then – both goals came in the final eight minutes – and in Salzburg they entertain a team that were in the Champions League group stages last season, competing against the likes of Benfica, Real Sociedad and Inter.

Despite finishing bottom in that Champions League section, the Austrians picked up four points and, while some key players have departed, they are considered as one of the best in Europe at developing young players.

Austrians in a rich vein of form

Salzburg overcame Eredivisie outfit FC Twente 5-4 on aggregate in the third qualifying round and that form looks strong given those opponents finished third in the Dutch top-flight last season, ahead of AZ Alkmaar and Ajax.

The visitors have won their opening three games in the Austrian Bundesliga, which includes a hard-fought 1-0 victory at LASK Linz last time out, and those rivals are seen to be their closest challengers in the title race.

So the visitors look the most likely winners in this opening-leg showdown and correct-score bettors can opt for a 2-0 win given eight of Salzburg’s last 14 Champions League outings have gone under 2.5 goals.