Dynamo Kyiv face SL Benfica in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Qualifiers 2022 at the Wladyslawa Krola Stadion on August 18. The match will start at 12:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time).
SL Benfica have won the UEFA Champions League twice, the latest in the 1961-62 season. They beat FC Barcelona in this competition last season and finished above the Blaugrana, in second place, in the group stage. The Portuguese team won 7-2 on aggregate in the previous qualifying round this season against FC Midtjylland. Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in the first leg and provided an assist in the second.
The hosts, Dynamo Kyiv, had a poor pre-season with three defeats in six games. However, they put in a solid defensive performance against Fenerbahce in the previous UCL qualifying round to win 3-1 on aggregate. The Kyiv-based team were in the same group as SL Benfica in the competition last season and managed to gain only one point in six matches.
Dynamo Kyiv vs SL Benfica UEFA Champions League Qualifiers 2022 odds
Parimatch odds: Dynamo Kyiv: 5.00, SL Benfica: 1.69, Draw: 3.80
Betwinner odds: Dynamo Kyiv: 5.35, SL Benfica: 1.66, Draw: 3.78
Betway odds: Dynamo Kyiv: 5.00, SL Benfica: 1.66, Draw: 3.75
10CRIC odds: Dynamo Kyiv: 4.91, SL Benfica: 1.70, Draw: 3.88
Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.
Dynamo Kyiv vs SL Benfica head-to-head
SL Benfica have been the superior team in this head-to-head, winning four of the six matches. Dynamo Kyiv’s victory came in the 1991-92 season while the two teams played out a goalless draw last season.
The biggest victory margin in this fixture is 5-0, which was achieved by SL Benfica in the third round of the 1991-92 UEFA Champions League.
Dynamo Kyiv vs SL Benfica squads
Dynamo Kyiv: Vladyslav Kucheruk (goalkeeper), Denys Boyko (goalkeeper), Ruslan Neshcheret (goalkeeper), Anton Bol, Ilya Zabarnyi, Oleksandr Syrota, Vladyslav Dubinchak, Mykola Shaparenko, Sergiy Sydorchuk, Volodymyr Shepeliev, Vitaliy Buyalskyi, Viktor Tsygankov, Artem Besedin, Tomasz Kedziora, Oleksandr Karavaev, Oleksandr Tymchyk, Oleksandr Andriyevskiy, Denys Garmash, Vladyslav Vanat.
SL Benfica: Odysseas Vlachodimos (goalkeeper), Helton Leite (goalkeeper), Jan Vertonghen, Alexander Bah, Gilberto, Nicolas Otamendi, Felipe Morato, Alejandro Grimaldo, Andre Almeida, Antonio Silva, Diogo Goncalves, Julian Weigl, Chiquinho, Enzo Fernandez, Florentino Luis, Joao Mario, Goncalo Ramos, Rafa Silva, Peter Musa, Paulo Bernardo, Roman Yaremchuk, Henrique Araujo, Diego Moreira.
Dynamo Kyiv vs SL Benfica probable starting lineups
Dynamo Kyiv: Vladyslav Kucheruk (goalkeeper); Tomasz Kedziora, Ilya Zabarnyi, Oleksandr Syrota, Vladyslav Dubinchak; Mykola Shaparenko, Sergiy Sydorchuk, Volodymyr Shepeliev, Vitaliy Buyalskyi; Viktor Tsygankov, Artem Besedin.
SL Benfica: Odysseas Vlachodimos (goalkeeper); Gilberto, Nicolas Otamendi, Felipe Morato, Alejandro Grimaldo; Chiquinho, Enzo Fernandez, Florentino Luis, Joao Mario; Goncalo Ramos, Rafa Silva.
Dynamo Kyiv vs SL Benfica combined fantasy XI
Odysseas Vlachodimos (goalkeeper); Gilberto, Nicolas Otamendi, Vladyslav Dubinchak, Alejandro Grimaldo; Mykola Shaparenko, Sergiy Sydorchuk, Enzo Fernandez, Joao Mario; Viktor Tsygankov, Rafa Silva.
Dynamo Kyiv top picks and players to watch vs SL Benfica UEFA Champions League Qualifiers 2022
Viktor Tsygankov: The 24-year-old Ukrainian midfielder scored 11 goals in the league and was Dynamo Kyiv’s top goal-scorer last season. He also netted in the recent club friendly against Royal Antwerp. Tsygankov had an 84 per cent passing accuracy, including an assist, in the UEFA Champions League 2021-22.
Vladyslav Dubinchak: The left-back is a regular feature in the Dynamo Kyiv team. His offensive and defensive work rate were on display in their last UCL qualifier against Sturm Graz. He made an assist in the Ukrainian Premier League last season.
SL Benfica top picks and players to watch vs Dynamo Kyiv UEFA Champions League Qualifiers 2022
Rafa Silva: The Portuguese striker began his campaign with two goals for SL Benfica against Arouca in the Liga Portugal. He also scored twice in pre-season and provided an assist in the previous UCL qualifier round against FC Midtjylland. The 2021-22 UEFA Champions League was his most productive one, with two goal contributions in the group stage.
Enzo Fernandez: The playmaker was signed from River Plate for a €10m transfer fee in the summer. The Argentine midfielder scored seven goals and made five assists in the Copa de la Liga Profesional 2022. He also made three goal contributions in the Copa Libertadores 2022. His passing ability will be key to SL Benfica’s success in this match.
Dynamo Kyiv vs SL Benfica UEFA Champions League Qualifiers 2022 prediction
SL Benfica are the clear favourites to win this encounter. The Portuguese team have a better quality of players and also got the better of Dynamo Kyiv in this competition last season.
Dynamo Kyiv are the underdogs despite having the home advantage in this first leg. Their pre-season form was underwhelming and they will find it difficult to control SL Benfica in this fixture.