The Matchday 7 encounter of the 2024/25 Europa League group stage between Galatasaray (Turkey) and Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) will take place on January 21 at Rams Park Stadium in Istanbul. Galatasaray vs. Dynamo Kyiv: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Kristo Tohver (Estonia)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.8;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 40%.
Predicted lineups for Galatasaray vs. Dynamo Kyiv
Galatasaray (3-4-3): Fernando Muslera – Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Davinson Sánchez, Elias Jelert – Metehan Baltacı, Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara, Berkan Kutlu – Dries Mertens, Yunus Akgün, Michy Batshuayi.
Dynamo Kyiv (3-4-2-1): Georgiy Bushchan – Kristian Bilovar, Maksym Dyachuk, Denys Popov – Vladyslav Dubinchak, Volodymyr Brazhko, Mykola Mykhailenko, Oleksandr Karavayev – Valentyn Rubchynskyi, Nazar Voloshyn – Eduardo Guerrero.
Each team's starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament is listed.
Galatasaray
The Istanbul club remains unbeaten in the Europa League group stage. Only four other teams can boast such results in the current tournament. Galatasaray drew their last two away matches, first against AZ Alkmaar (1-1) and then against Malmö (2-2). Okan Buruk's side sits in 6th place in the standings, and a win in the upcoming match will secure their spot in the knockout stages of this European competition.
- Both teams have scored in Galatasaray's last nine Europa League matches.
- At least three goals have been scored in 8 of the club's last 9 games in this tournament.
- The Turkish side has scored two or more goals in 5 of their last 6 Europa League matches.
Dynamo Kyiv
In the previous round, the Ukrainians faced Real Sociedad away and suffered their third heavy defeat in the current Europa League campaign (0-3). In the other three group stage matches, Dynamo Kyiv lost by a smaller margin. As a result, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's team was the first to lose even a theoretical chance of reaching the playoffs. Notably, the club has scored the fewest goals in the current Europa League (1 goal) and conceded the most, with 15 goals against them in the group stage.
- The Ukrainians are on a 14-match winless streak in this tournament (1 draw and 13 losses).
- In their last seven Europa League matches, the team has scored just one goal.
- Dynamo Kyiv has conceded at least two goals in 7 of their last 8 Europa League games.
Galatasaray vs. Dynamo Kyiv: Match Prediction
It seems the Ukrainians are gearing up for the final round, where they will face another underdog, RFS. The current Dynamo Kyiv is likely only capable of defeating a representative of the Latvian championship. Additionally, the team lacks match practice, while the Turkish Super Lig is in full swing. Dynamo Kyiv has struggled in the Europa League, suffering 13 defeats and earning just one draw since March 2021 in this tournament.
For Galatasaray, securing a victory in the upcoming match is crucial, as a place in the playoffs is at stake. There is also a chance to finish in the top eight, which would allow them to enter directly into the Europa League Round of 16. The Istanbul club is strong at home, boasting a four-match winning streak in this European competition. It's worth noting that in their last four home games in this tournament, they have scored no fewer than three goals. I am confident the hosts will win by a margin of two or more goals.
My prediction: Galatasaray with a handicap (-2)
