Besiktas vs Dynamo Kyiv
UEFA Champions League – Group B
Date: Wednesday, 28th September, 2016
Kick-off: 19:45 UK.
Venue: BJK Inonu Stadium, Besiktas.
Besiktas haven’t made the best of starts to their Turkish Super Lig title defence. They began the campaign with a penalty loss to Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Cup, and although they remain unbeaten in normal time this season, they haven’t been able to find their stride.
They have won three and drawn three of their six games in all competitions, leaving them 3rd in the Super Lig. Their Champions League opener saw them get a good result when they traveled to Portugal to face Benfica and came away with a 1-1 draw though. It wasn’t without it’s scares though, with them trailing for the vast majority of the game after a 12th minute Cervi opener. It took until the 93rd minute for Besiktas to respond, but Talisca came to the rescue and earned them a potentially crucial point.
Whilst Besiktas’ start to the season may be a little inspiring, Dynamo Kiev’s recent record is downright worrying for their fans. They managed a 4-0 win on Saturday against Olimpik Donetsk, but prior to that, they had lost three and drawn one of their previous four matches in all competitions.
Their draw away to Shakhtar Donetsk during this period can be seen as a decent result, but three home defeats against Vorskia, Napoli, and Zorya are very much a disappointment. Their loss to Napoli also leaves them bottom of the Champions League group, and that came despite them taking a 26th minute lead against the Serie A side.
Before this run of poor form they had won every match of the season, so they still sit in a decent 3rd position in the Ukrainian Premier League. However, Shakhtar Donetsk have already opened up a six point lead over them.
I’m expecting this to be a fairly tight affair. Despite Dynamo Kiev’s recent poor form they have a good away record, and Besiktas just seem to be struggling to get over the finishing line at the moment.
Both teams have found the net in all four of Besiktas’ home competitive games this season, and stretching back into last season the record in seven in their last nine at home. Dynamo Kiev have seen both teams score in four of their last six away from home as well, so backing Both Teams to Score at 10/11 looks like a good value bet to me. I do think Besiktas might be able to get the win, so I’m going for a 2-1 correct score prediction at 8/1 as well.
Head To Head
Dynamo Kiev have won three, drawn one, and lost two of their six previous meetings with Besiktas, with the most recent one being back in 2011.
Stats
Both teams have scored in 100% of Besiktas' home games this season and in 60% of Dynamo Kiev's trips away.
Team News
Midfielder Veli Kavlak, winger Aras Ozbiliz, and striker Omer Sismanoglu are all ineligible to play.
Dynamo Kiev are expecting to have a fully fit squad on Wednesday.
