Dutiful task for Benfica

Benfica Lisbon are not out of the Champions League group stage yet. The Portuguese still have the chance on the last matchday to enter the knockout stage of the top flight with some firing support. To do so, however, the Eagles must win their home match against Dynamo Kiev. Wednesday’s opponents, on the other hand, will finish bottom of Group E.

For the Ukrainians, therefore, it is all about the “golden pineapple” in the last group match. Although Dynamo already picked up a point against Benfica in the first leg, the best betting companies see the visitors from Ukraine as clear underdogs against the Portuguese, who are strong at home. For Benfica Lisbon vs Dynamo Kiev, odds of more than 10.00 are even offered for tip 2.

Benfica have won every home game against Dynamo Kiev so far. The last time was in the group stage of the 2016/17 Champions League, where the Eagles finished second in the table. Since then, Benfica have been knocked out of the group stage of the top flight three times in three attempts.

Because Benfica are ahead in the direct comparison against their Catalan group rivals, the Portuguese can already take second place if they are tied on points with FCB. We don’t think that scenario is far-fetched given the Catalans’ season so far, especially as they face a mammoth task in Munich.

Benfica Lisbon – Statistics & current form

In the Primeira Liga, Benfica Lisbon recently suffered a bitter setback in the championship battle. Last week they lost the city derby against Sporting at the Estádio da Luz. As a result, the gap to the two leaders – FCP and Sporting are tied on points – has now increased to four points.

Internationally, however, there is a chance to make amends. For the first time since the 2016/17 season, the Eagles want to reach the last 16 of the Champions League. However, because Benfica only picked up one point against Barcelona in their last group game, the leap to second place will only be possible with support.

Nevertheless, the starting position is by no means bad, especially since the Catalans have to win at the top of the table in Munich in order to stay in second place in the event of Benfica’s success. For the Portuguese, on the other hand, the home match against Dynamo Kiev is quite convenient. So far, Benfica have won all their home games against Wednesday’s opponents from Ukraine.

Does Benfica underpin home strength at Estádio da Luz?

Ahead of Wednesday’s match, Benfica Lisbon’s home record in the European Cups is also encouraging. Season-to-date, the Eagles have lost just three of a total of 20 home games on the international stage in the last three years. Two of the three home defeats came against FC Bayern Munich.

This includes the most recent defeat against the German record champions, in which Benfica even conceded four goals in their own stadium. On the other hand, Benfica Lisbon won their home match against FC Barcelona 3:0. Although the Portuguese conceded a total of nine goals in the first and second legs against Munich, their defensive bulwark is undoubtedly the showpiece of the team.

Benfica Lisbon went three out of five group matches without conceding a goal. That included the first-round match against Dynamo Kiev. It is quite possible that the clean sheet will be maintained against the unambitious Ukrainians this time as well.

Predicted line-up of Benfica Lisbon:
Vlachodimos – Morato, Otamendi, Vertonghen – Almeida, Weigl, Mario, Grimaldo – Silva, Yaremchuk, Nunez

Last matches played by Benfica Lisbon:

Liga Portugal
12/03 2021 – Benfica 1 – 3 Sporting CP

11/27 2021 – Belenenses SAD 0 – 7 Benfica

Champions League Grp. E
11/23 2021 – Barcelona 0 – 0 Benfica

Cup
11/19 2021 – Benfica 4 – 1 Pacos de Ferreira

Liga Portugal
11/07 2021 – Benfica 6 – 1 Braga

Dynamo Kiev – Statistics & current form

Once again, Dynamo Kiev’s international adventure is drawing to a close. With only one point in five group games so far, last year’s champions from the Ukraine are bottom of Group E. Most recently, Dynamo went down at home to FC Bayern Munich, with the final goal of the game only a cosmetic 1:2.

On Wednesday evening, Dynamo Kiev will conclude this year’s adventure in the UEFA European Cups. Although the last group match against the Portuguese has no special significance, it can be ruled out that Dynamo Kiev will be a points supplier in Lisbon. After all, every point in UEFA’s top flight earns millions.

For each victory in the group stage, even 2.80 million euros are paid out. Reason enough for the Ukrainians to play their last match in the top flight in their best line-up. The recent result against the Portuguese representative is particularly encouraging. In the first half of the season, Dynamo took a point against Benfica.

Are Dynamo without a chance away from home?

Nevertheless, it will be more than bold to make a prediction on the visitors in Benfica Lisbon vs Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday night. Statistically speaking, the capital club from Ukraine is one of the weakest away teams in the top flight. In the history of the Champions League, only Olympiakos and Galatasaray have lost more away matches than Dynamo Kiev.

In the two away games of the current Champions League 2021/22, Dynamo Kiev suffered a narrow defeat at FC Barcelona and an away debacle at FC Bayern Munich. Against the latter, the Ukrainian representative even conceded five goals. Throughout the entire group stage, the Ukrainians’ offensive was their major shortcoming.

Dynamo Kiev scored only one goal in five attempts – against the record champions from Munich, of all places. Because the opponents in the Ukrainian Premier League are by no means of the same calibre as their group rivals in the top flight, the national goal tally should not be overestimated with regard to Wednesday’s match.

Predicted line-up of Dynamo Kiev:
Bushchan – Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Shabanov, Mykolenko – Sydorchuk, Shaparenko – Tsygankov, Garmash, Verbic – Kulach

Last matches played by Dynamo Kiev:

Premier League
12/04 2021 – Veres Rivne 0 – 3 Dynamo Kiev

11/27 2021 – FC Minaj 0 – 2 Dynamo Kyiv

Champions League Grp. E
11/23 2021 – Dynamo Kiev 1 – 2 Bayern Munich

Premier League
11/19 2021 – Chornomorez Odessa 1 – 6 Dynamo Kiev

11/06 2021 – Dynamo Kiev 1 – 2 Vorskla Poltava

Benfica Lisbon – Dynamo Kyiv Direct comparison / H2H record

The two clubs have met five times on the international stage. Dynamo Kiev’s only victory so far came in their first meeting against Benfica Lisbon. Since then, the Ukrainians have suffered three defeats and a draw against the Portuguese champions.

Benfica have won two matches at home against Dynamo Kyiv so far. Among them was the resounding victory in April 1992, when the Lisbon Eagles swept the Ukrainians out of the Estádio da Luz with 5:0.

Benfica Lisbon – Dynamo Kiev Tip

The two clubs have already met five times on the international stage. Dynamo Kiev have only won their first meeting against Benfica Lisbon. Since then, the Ukrainians have lost three and drawn one against the Portuguese champions. In all five matches between Benfica Lisbon vs Dynamo Kyiv, a prediction on “BTS: No” has paid off

Tendentiously, we therefore think it is obvious to place bets on the Portuguese hosts this time as well. After all, Benfica Lisbon have only lost three of their last 20 home games on the international stage. Two of the three defeats were against Bayern, and there was also a defeat against the Bullen from Leipzig.

With a stake of six units, our betting odds for Benfica Lisbon vs Dynamo Kiev are “HT/FT: 1/1” at 1.90