Dynamo Kiev vs FC Astana Predictions

With most of the leagues in Europe now back underway and settled in to their new campaigns, it is time to start the group stages of Europa League. After failing to overcome Ajax in the Champions League qualifying matches, Dynamo Kiev will be hoping they can bounce back in Europe’s secondary competition with a win, but in order to do so they have to overcome the Kazakhstan champions, FC Astana.

Despite their exit from the Champions League, the hosts have had a solid start to the season, but they will be concerned that their form has dropped off of late. Dynamo recorded wins in each of their opening four league matches but they have now failed to win in their previous five outings in all competitions. A major area of concern for the side will be the lack of threat they have shown up front, and this is shown perfectly by the fact that just one of their 12 outings this season, a 3-1 defeat to Ajax, has finished with over 2.5 goals scored.

FC Astana may be the underdogs in this fixture, but they will come into this match with plenty of confidence as they won their domestic league last season and they look well set to defend their crown this time around. Although the league will not have the same quality as the opposition they face on Thursday evening, the fact that they have scored in 73% of their away matches this term shows that they are not usually phased by having to travel to a hostile opposition crowd, a trait which may prove crucial against Dynamo Kiev.

The bookies have made the hosts the clear favourites in this match, a tag which they deserve but we do not believe it to be as clear cut as that. Given the lack of firepower on show in the Dynamo Kiev ranks so far this season, it looks unlikely they will be able to run away with the match. This, combined with the fact that the visitors are not shy in front of goal, leads us to believe they will be able to earn a positive result from this tie. With the bookies offering big odds for an away win, we are going to take a hit on the potential return by backing FC Astana to either win or draw on the double chance market.