As Dynamo Kiev and Red Bull Salzburg gear up for their crucial Champions League playoff first leg, both teams are within touching distance of the group stage.
Dynamo Kiev has successfully navigated past Partizan Belgrade and Rangers, while Salzburg edged out Twente to reach this decisive stage.
Match Preview
Dynamo Kiev
Recent Form
Dynamo Kiev has been in impressive form, remaining undefeated this season across all competitions.
They enter this clash on a high, having won their last match against Karpaty Lviv, and they are currently on a 12-match unbeaten streak at home.
Their path to this playoff has seen them overcome tough opposition, including a resilient Rangers side in the previous round.
Injury News
Dynamo will be without Maksym Dyachuk, who is sidelined with an arm injury, and young striker Matviy Ponomarenko, who is recovering from an ankle problem.
However, they have no major new injury concerns and are expected to field a strong lineup similar to the one that faced Rangers.
RB Salzburg
Recent Form
Salzburg, under new manager Pep Lijnders, has started the season strongly, maintaining a perfect record in the Austrian Bundesliga and successfully advancing past Twente in the previous round of Champions League qualifying.
However, despite their domestic success, they were pushed to the limit by Twente, needing a dramatic 3-3 draw in the second leg to secure their place in the playoffs.
Injury News
Salzburg will be without key striker Karim Konate, who remains out with a knee injury.
The team is also missing Fernando, Takumu Kawamura, and Dijon Kameri. Despite these absences, they still have a formidable attack led by Maurits Kjaergaard and Oscar Gloukh, the latter having recently scored a hat-trick in a domestic league match.
Players To Watch
Dynamo Kiev Player To Watch
Andriy Yarmolenko, the experienced captain, will be crucial for Dynamo Kiev. With 24 goals in 100 UEFA competition appearances, his leadership and goal-scoring ability will be key in this high-stakes encounter.
RB Salzburg Player To Watch
Oscar Gloukh is the player to watch for Salzburg. The young forward is in excellent form, having scored a hat-trick in a recent league match and will be expected to step up in the absence of Karim Konate.
Prediction
Given the attacking prowess of both teams and their recent form, this match is likely to be a high-scoring affair.
On neutral ground, with both sides looking to gain an advantage before the second leg, a score draw seems the most probable outcome. P
Our Prediction: Dynamo Kiev 2-2 RB Salzburg
Dynamo Kyiv 
RB Salzburg 
