In a battle for pride, Dynamo Kiev are set to welcome Rigas Futbola Skola to Volksparkstadion on Thursday in their final Europa League game of the league phase.
Both sides have been eliminated from the competition, with the hosts last in 36th place having accumulated one point in seven games, while the visitors are 30th with five points and their 1-0 victory against Ajax on January 23 was not enough to prevent their exit from the competition.
Match preview
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Ukrainian team Dynamo Kiev were able to hold Galatasaray to a 3-3 stalemate in the Europa League last Tuesday, and to their credit they managed to come back from a 2-0 and 3-1 deficit.
However, the hosts have conceded 18 goals in Europe this season – the most of any club in the competition – and have created just five big chances across their seven outings in the tournament.
The Blue and Whites are first in the Ukrainian Premier League with 43 points after 17 matchweeks, five more than second-placed FC Oleksandriya.
Manager Oleksandr Shovkovskyi will be pleased that his side have only been defeated once in their last six games – winning two and drawing three – but they have been beaten in 13 of their past 15 Europa League outings.
Dynamo Kiev's record at home in Europe is poor given the club are winless in their 10 most recent Europa League fixtures at Volksparkstadion, succumbing to defeat in their last seven while scoring just once.
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As for the visitors, Adam Markhiev netted a long-range strike in the 78th minute to give RFS a victory against Ajax, but they have no chance of qualifying for the round of 16 as they are four points from Besiktas, who occupy the final playoff spot.
It should be noted that their victory last time out in Europe was the first time that they had won in their last seven attempts in the Europa League, with the club losing four, drawing two and failing to keep a clean sheet in the six games prior to their clash against Ajax.
The Latvian champions won their domestic league in 2024, and the title triumph was their third in the last four seasons.
Head coach Viktors Morozs's side are in mixed form considering they have been defeated three times in their past six outings, drawing one and winning two in that period.
Morozs's team have also been beaten in their three most recent away fixtures in the Europa League by a cumulative score of 7-2.
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Team News
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Dynamo Kiev will be without suspended midfielder Mykola Shaparenko following his yellow card against Galatasaray, so perhaps Oleksandr Pikhalyonok will come into the team and play alongside Vitaliy Buyalskyi and Mykola Mykhailenko.
Kristian Bilovar and Taras Mykhavko could start in central defence given centre-back Denys Popov is not scheduled to return from injury until the middle of next month.
Striker Vladyslav Vanat scored against Galatasaray, and he is likely to be flanked by wingers Nazar Voloshyn and Vladyslav Kabaiev.
The visitors will not be able to select forwards Ismael Diomande and Martins Kigurs, so expect Alain Cedric Herve Kouadio to be partnered in a front two by Janis Ikaunieks.
Haruna Njie, Herdi Prenga and Ziga Lipuscek started in a back three against Ajax, and they are almost certain to feature in defence again on Thursday.
Dynamo Kiev possible starting lineup:
Neshcheret; Tymchyk, Bilovar, Mykhavko, Vivcharenko; Buyalskyi, Mykhailenko, Pikhalyonok; Voloshyn, Vanat, Kabaiev
Rigas Futbola Skola possible starting lineup:
Ondoa; Njie, Prenga, Lipuscek; Savalnieks, Markhiyev, Panic, Zelenkovs, Odisharia; Ikaunieks, Kouadio
We say: Dynamo Kiev 0-2 Rigas Futbola Skola
Neither side are likely to play to their best level considering both have been eliminated, but RFS will be confident of achieving a positive result given their victory last time out in Europe.
Additionally, Dynamo Kiev's record at home in the Europa League is concerning, as is their goal return, and it is difficult to see them avoiding defeat on Thursday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
