Dynamo Kiev vs. Barcelona Valeriy Lobanovskiy, Kiev Ukraine 2:45 PM EST Wednesday December 9, 2009
by Jason Green at Predictem.com
Match Odds: Even though Barcelona is the away team in this match they are still favored posted at 1.60 with Dynamo posted at 5.30 with a draw at 3.45. There is also a moneyline for this match with Barcelona at -150 with Dynamo at +425 with a draw at +250.
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
In the last match of the Champions League group stage for both teams Dynamo Kiev hosts Barcelona in a vital match for both teams. Many though Barcelona would have no problem advancing to the knockout phase, but if they lose this match and the Inter Milan vs. Rubin Kazan match does not end in a draw they will be going home. If they win or draw they will make it out of the group. Dynamo has to win this match or they will not advance to the knockout phase.
Dynamo has played well in the Ukraine Premier League, but they only have one win in the Champions League group stage with 2 draws and 2 losses. They will come out firing in this match since they have to win. They have not won since beating Rubin Kazan at home almost 2 months ago. The last time these two teams played was in Barcelona and Barcelona had to come back to force a 2-2 draw.
Barcelona was shocked losing at home to Rubin Kazan, but they looked great in Beating Inter Milan 2-0 at home and if they play like that in this match they should have no problem winning. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was great in that match and Dynamo has to mark him all match or he will spell trouble for them. Dynamo has to deal with a Barcelona squad that has scored 35 goals and only given up 9 in La Liga so they will definitely have their hands full in this match. However, all the pressure is on Barcelona so they may be tight, especially in the beginning of the match.
Ukraine has to have some offense in this match, as a draw does not help them. They have struggled on that side of the ball, as they have only scored 1 goal in their last 3 matches.
Dynamo Kiev Recent Form
12/5/2009 Chornomorets Odesa 0 Dynamo 1 (Ukraine League)
11/29/2009 Zaporizhya 0 Dynamo 0 (Ukraine League)
11/24/2009 Rubin Kazan 0 Dynamo 0 (Champions League)
11/21/2009 Dynamo 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 0 (Ukraine League)
11/4/2009 Dynamo Kiev 1 Inter Milan 2 (Champions League)
Barcelona Recent Form:
12/6/2009 Deportivo La Coruna 1 Barcelona 3 (La Liga)
12/2/2009 Xerez 0 Barcelona 2 (La Liga)
11/29/2009 Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 0 (La Liga)
11/24/2009 Barcelona 2 Inter Milan 0 (Champions League)
11/21/2009 Athletic Bilbao 1 Barcelona 1 (La Liga)
Dynamo Kiev is relatively healthy for this match. Badr El Kaddouri and Yevgen Khacheridi are both out for this match due to injuries, but both have been out for a while now. Pape Diakhate is back after recovering from a knee injury. Leandro Almeida is back for this match after serving a one-match suspension.
Barcelona is also healthy for this match, as Jeffren Suarez is the only player that may not play due to an injury. Defender Carles Pujol cannot receive a yellow card in this match or he will miss the next match, but that really does not matter for this match.
Dynamo strikers Artem Milevskiy and Andriy Shevchenko are the big guns for the home squad and they will be counted on to score in this match. However, that will not happen, as Barcelona will stifle them.
Barcelona G Valdes has been solid all season and in this big match he will keep a clean sheet and not allow Dynamo to find the back of the net.
Look for Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, or both, to score, as this is a huge match and Messi is especially known for stepping it up in big matches.
Barcleona has a much better midfield and they will get quite a few scoring chances from that part of the field.
Barcelona will also have many chances to score on the counter-attack since Dynamo will pull up the field to pressure the Barcelona defense.
Jason’s Pick: Even though Dynamo played to a draw in Barcelona that will not happen in this match, as the Spanish giants need to win and they will since they are a better squad. I see them winning by a score of 2-0 or 3-0, as they will dominate this match and have many chances to score.