By Betsefy
Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica square off at the Wladyslaw Krol Municipal Stadium in the first leg of their Champions League qualifying playoff round clash on Wednesday.
Both sides have enjoyed a fine qualifying campaign and will look to continue in the same vein as they are just 180 minutes away from a place in the group stages of the European tournament.
Match preview
Dynamo Kyiv will be without the duo of Denys Garmash and Sergiy Sydorchuk, who will both serve a one-match suspension after crossing the yellow card threshold with their bookings against Sturm Graz last time out.
On the injury front, manager Mircea Lucescu will be unable to call upon the services of 29-year-old defender Volodymyr Kostevych, who has been out of action since last December through a long-term injury.
Twenty-two-year-old forward Vladyslav Supryaga is also set to sit out his sixth consecutive game after picking up a hip injury in July’s 2-1 friendly defeat against Royal Antwerp.
Meanwhile, Benfica will take to the pitch without the experience of Brazilian defender Lucas Verissimo, who continues his long journey to full fitness after sustaining a severe knee injury last November.
Fellow countryman Joao Victor, who was recently signed from Corinthians, still awaits his debut as the defender is currently recuperating from a muscle injury he sustained back in July.
With his winner against Casa Pia last time out, Ramos has now been involved in 12 goals and assists in his last 11 games for club and county and the 21-year-old striker should spearhead the visiting side’s attack once again.
Our Prediction
Away Win or Draw
