Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Dynamo Kyiv
Match Time & Date:
20/09/2018
12:55 PM
Prediction: 1-0
FC Astana
Dynamo Kiev and Astana square off against each other at NSK Olimpijs’kyj in the opening match of their Europa League campaign. Dynamo Kiev failed to impress in the Champions League qualifiers, with the team losing to Ajax in the double-header and, as a result, they will represent Ukraine in the Europa League. It is well known that the Ukrainians produce much better showings at home than on the travels and seeing that Astana are fully focused on winning the national championship, we are tempted to put our money on the hosts. The Kazakhs recorded only one win in previous four games in the Europa League, which is yet another reason why home win should be considered. A man to watch in the home side will be Nazariy Rusyn, who has found his goal-scoring touch at the start of the season. You should bear in mind that the two sides have never met before in the Europa League.
Highlighted Player (Viktor Tsygankov):
Viktor Tsygankov is a Ukrainian footballer who plays for Dynamo Kiev. Tsygankov is a product of Nyva Vinnytsia football school, but in 2011 he moved to Dynamo Kiev at the age of 14. Despite being born in Nahariya, Israel on November 15, 1997, Viktor Tsygankov represents Ukraine at senior level.
The talented winger has no less than 20 caps for Ukraine U17 team and it has to be noted that his made his senior debut for Ukraine against Finland in November, 2016. Tsygankov came as a substitute in the 83rd minute of the 2018 World Cup qualifier. Viktor Tsygankov’s main position is right winger, but he is used as a left winger as well.
His preferred foot is left and he has a contract with Dynamo Kiev until June, 2023. The pacey winger made his Dynamo Kiev debut in the Ukrainian Premier League on August 14, 2016 against FC Stal Kamianske. His first coach was Mykola Zahoruyko.
Highlighted Team (FC Astana):
Astana are a professional football club based in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Blue and Yellows were founded in 2009 and five years later they won their first Kazakhstan Premier League trophy. Astana managed to defend their title in 2015, with the team finishing the season just one point clear of Kairat in the standings.
The Kazakhs participated in the Champions League group stages in the 2015/2016 season, but they failed to record a win in the elite competition. However, it has to be noted that they managed to hold star-studded Atletico Madrid to a goalless draw in front of home fans. Astana play their home games at Astana Arena and the capacity of the venue is 30 244.
The stadium was opened on 3 July, 2009 and the construction cost $185 million. Astana’s home kits are yellow with blue strips and they play their away games in navy-blue kits. The team recorded their biggest win on 19 June, 2011 when they outclassed Kairat 6-1 in the Kazakhstan Premier League.
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