Dynamo Kyiv vs Villarreal predictions and match preview for Thursday’s game in the UEFA Europa League. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as the Yellow Submarine travel to Ukraine.
- DATE: Thursday 11th March 2021
- KICK-OFF: 18:55 (CET)
- VENUE: NSC Olimpiyskiy
- COMPETITION: UEFA Europa League Last 16, 1st Leg
Dynamo Kyiv vs Villarreal Preview
Villarreal are arguably the Spanish side in with the greatest chance of winning a European trophy this season. That says more about the current plight of LaLiga’s top clubs in truth but the Yellow Submarine will certainly fancy their chances of at least reaching the Quarter-Finals following in theory a favourable last 16 draw against Dynamo Kyiv.
Having overcome Champions League drop-outs RB Salzburg in the last round, winning both legs, Villarreal have plenty of reason to believe here. Indeed it has largely been plain sailing for Villarreal in the Europa League so far following a comfortable group stage progression. Unai Emery, a specialist in this competition, will certainly believe his team are capable of competing for the trophy.
However there is perhaps a slightly different dynamic to this tie, compared to the others Villarreal have played in Europe this season. That’s because their league form has declined to such an extent that there is now a real pressure on both players and coach to progress in this competition that wasn’t previously there. Having gone 8 without a win in LaLiga, losing 3 of the last 4, questions are starting to be asked about whether any real progress has been made under Emery.
Dynamo Kyiv meanwhile are enjoying an excellent domestic campaign. They are four points clear of Shakhtar at the top of the Ukranian Premier League and currently on course to end a five year wait for a league title. Like Villarreal’s last opponents, they also dropped out of the UCL earlier in the season, coming a distant 3rd in a tough group that included Juventus and Barcelona.
Barca won 4-0 on their visit to the Ukranian capital earlier in the season and even in the Europa League 1st knockout round, Dynamo failed to win their home leg, drawing 1-1 with Club Brugge before Vitaliy Buyalski scored the only goal late on in the 2nd Leg in Belgium. They were perhaps slightly fortunate to progress from the tie and will be underdogs in this one with significant injury problems not aiding their chances.
Head to Head
- The sides haven’t met in 16 years since a UEFA Cup tie in 2005.
- The Kyiv leg ended goalless before Villarreal advanced with a 2-0 win in the return.
Team News
Dynamo Kyiv have 7 players out injured including Viktor Tsygankov and Denys Popov who both impressed in the last round.
Rubén Peña and Yeremi Pino remain doubts for the visitors.
Predicted Dynamo Kyiv Starting Lineup:
Bushchan – Mykolenko, Zabarnyi, Syrota, Kedziora – Rodrigues, Shepelev, Sydorchuk, Shaparenko – Buyalskiy – Besedin (4-4-1-1)
Predicted Villarreal Starting Lineup:
Rulli – Estupinan, Torres, Albiol, Costa – Pedraza, Capoue, Parejo, Trigueros – Moreno, Alcacer (4-4-2)
Dynamo Kyiv vs Villarreal Predictions
Score Prediction: Dynamo Kyiv 1-2 Villarreal
While Villarreal’s domestic form is deeply concerning now, they have played with a freedom in the Europa League. Unai Emery is as experienced as anybody in this tournament and with the quality the Spanish side have in the final third, they look capable of winning both on the night and across the two legs to help ease the pressure that is starting to build on the Villarreal boss.
UEFA Europa League Betting Tips (18+)
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