Sabasports Match Preview
Champions League Qualification: Dynamo Kyiv vs Pafos FC
Kickoff Time: 2025-08-06 02:00 (HKT)
Source: IMAGN IMAGES / Thomas Shea
Dynamo Kyiv is the top team in the Ukrainian league and won the title last season without a single loss. This summer, the team has not lost any key players, maintaining the same level of strength as last season. Due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, all of Dynamo Kyiv’s European matches are being held at the Lublin Stadium in Poland. However, the team has not been affected by playing at a neutral venue. Last week, they defeated Hibernians, the top team in Malta, 3-0. They also won the first leg 3-0, advancing to the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers with a 6-0 aggregate score. This shows that the team is in excellent form. Looking at the statistics from both legs, Dynamo Kyiv allowed their opponents only eight shot attempts on target. The team continued its dominant attacking strategy, creating numerous scoring chances through control in midfield. Their players’ individual skills and teamwork were effective in breaking down the opposition’s defense. Notably, the team’s most expensive striker, Vladyslav Vanat, scored in both matches. His finishing ability and movement are top-class, and as long as he is fit, he becomes a nightmare for opposing defenders.
Pafos FC is the top team in Cyprus. In the previous qualifying round, they surprisingly defeated the stronger Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv away from home, advancing with a 2-1 aggregate score and pulling off an “upset win.” However, the progress was partly due to luck. They only scored after Maccabi Tel Aviv had a player sent off, but then struggled to capitalize on the numerical advantage. Throughout the match, they had only 43% possession and didn’t make the most of the extra man. It was only thanks to their goalkeeper Neofytos Michail, who made four incredible saves, that they managed to avoid defeat. Due to the away game and their weaker overall strength compared to Dynamo Kyiv, Pafos is expected to adopt a defensive counter-attacking approach, relying on quick transitions and wide attacks to create chances. One interesting data point: the highest-paid player in Pafos is Portuguese midfielder Pepe, valued at €2 million. If he were in Dynamo Kyiv, his market value would rank him 14th on the squad, and he might not even get a starting spot.
The two teams have a clear difference in strength, and the Ukrainian team, driven by national pride, is likely to have higher motivation. Although playing at a neutral venue, Dynamo Kyiv is still worth considering as the stronger side.
Dynamo Kyiv‘s Last 5 Games: WWWDL
25-07-30 Dynamo Kyiv 3-0 Hamrun Spartans
25-07-21 Hamrun Spartans 0-3 Dynamo Kyiv
25-01-31 Dynamo Kyiv 1-0 Rigas Futbola Skola
25-01-21 Galatasaray 3-3 Dynamo Kyiv
24-12-13 Real Sociedad 3-0 Dynamo Kyiv
Pafos FC’s Last 5 Games: WDLWW
25-07-31 Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-1 Pafos FC
25-07-23 Pafos FC 1-1 Maccabi Tel Aviv
25-03-14 Djurgardens IF 3-0 Pafos FC
25-03-07 Pafos FC 1-0 Djurgardens IF
24-12-13 Pafos FC 2-1 Omonoia
Head-To-Head Record
None
Prediction: Dynamo Kyiv to win