Dyn. Kyiv vs Lazio Prediction: 25/9/2024

Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Ukrainian teams, including Dynamo Kyiv, are unable to play in their usual stadiums to ensure the safety of the players. As a result, Dynamo Kyiv is playing this evening’s match in Hamburg, away from their home ground.

Despite this, Kyiv will be looking to make their mark, especially since they came close to reaching the Champions League group stage but were eliminated by Red Bull Salzburg after a 2-0 loss in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in Austria. Dynamo has started their domestic campaign well, with three wins in their opening three matches against LNZ Cherkasy (1-0), Karpaty Lviv (3-1), and Veres-Rivne (2-1). They aim to continue this momentum in their upcoming fixtures against Zorya, Vorskla, and Rukh Lviv.

On the other side, Lazio, who are no strangers to European competition, secured their place in this new Europa League format by finishing 7th in Serie A last season. Their goal is to compete with the top five in the league, but they’ve had a mixed start to the current season. Before the international break, Lazio recorded a 3-1 win over promoted Venezia but have since struggled. In the last two weekends, they hosted Hellas Verona and traveled to Fiorentina.

For Dynamo Kyiv, defender Dyachuk and midfielder Shepeliev (who scored two goals last season) are doubtful for tonight’s match. However, Buyalskyy (10 goals and 5 assists last year) has returned from injury and is expected to be available. Ukrainian internationals Yarmolenko (2 goals this season) and Shaparenko (4 goals last year) should also feature.

For Lazio, Gila and Luca Pellegrini are unlikely to play, with the latter on loan from Juventus. However, key players like Argentine international Valentin Castellanos (2 goals), Boulaye Dia, Danish international Isaksen (1 goal in 3 matches), Italian international Zaccagni, and French midfielder Mattéo Guendouzi are expected to be available, along with Vecino (6 goals last season).

 

Prediction

Both Dynamo Kyiv and Lazio have shown a consistent tendency for low-scoring games in European competition, with seven of Dynamo Kyiv’s last eight Europa League matches and six of Lazio’s last seven continental games producing under 3.5 goals.

Prediction: Dynamo Kyiv 1-1 Lazio