Dynamo Kiev vs Olympiakos Predictions

Dynamo Kiev came out of last week’s 1st leg against Olympiakos with a slight advantage following a 2-2 draw, as away goals often prove so decisive in European competitions. However, this Olympiakos side can score goals and are by no means out of this tie, but are likely to need a couple of away goals of their own on Thursday to stand any chance of progressing through to the last sixteen.

Dynamo Kiev haven’t played since the 2-2 draw in Greece and will be hoping that their extra rest, recuperation, and preparation will go in their favour on Thursday. The visitors beat AEK Athens 4-1 on Sunday, but remain six points behind league leaders PAOK, who also have a game in hand. Olympiakos will be hoping that with Dynamo Kiev having only played one competitive match since mid December, that their hosts will show some tired legs and rustiness on Thursday, though the chances of that appear slim if the 1st leg performance is anything to go by. Olympiakos were twice pegged back after taking the lead against Kiev, with Koka opening the scoring for the Greek side in the ninth minute. Buyalskyy levelled for Kiev shortly before the half hour mark, but Dias restored the home sides lead and ensured they went in at the break in front. Olympiakos appeared to have done enough to carry a narrow lead into the 2nd leg, but in the eighty-ninth minute Verbič levelled for Dynamo Kiev and handed the initiative to the Ukrainians.

Judging by the 1st leg performances from both teams and their results heading into Thursday’s game, we’re expecting to see more goals between the pair and another exciting ninety minutes. Olympiakos’ last four games have all seen both teams score, while all of their last six matches have featured over 2.5 goals. Three of Dynamo Kiev’s last six matches have also produced over 2.5 goals and the hosts have only failed to score in one of those six games. Both teams were very clinical in front of goal during the 1st leg, with Olympiakos seeing two of their five shots on target go into the back of the net, while Dynamo Kiev converted two of their four shots on target. All of the above point towards another open and attacking game, with a high chance of both teams scoring and the game producing over 2.5 goals.

Verbič scored his fifth European goal of the season for Dynamo Kiev last week and the Slovenian is expected to lead the line once again on Thursday. Greek duo of Christodoulopoulos and Fortounis have both scored five times in Europe for Olympiakos, while Spaniard Guerrero has chipped in with four goals. We’re confident that these two free flowing, attack minded sides will producing another entertaining game of football in Thursday’s 2nd leg and have backed both teams to score and over 2.5 goals, with the final scoreline to read 3-1 in Dynamo Kiev’s favour. Kiev are strong at home and have two away goals in the bag against an Olympiakos side that can score goals, but always seems to concede and that’s why were backing a home win on Thursday.