The second leg of the third qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League between Pafos (Cyprus) and Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) will take place on August 12 at the Limassol Stadium. The first match ended with a 1-0 victory for Pafos. Pafos vs. Dynamo Kyiv: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Pafos
Juan Carlos Carcedo's side continues to impress on the international stage. Last season, the team made its debut in European competitions and reached the Round of 16 in the Conference League. This year, the Cypriots won their domestic league for the first time, earning a spot in the Champions League. In the previous round, they overcame a strong Maccabi Tel Aviv side (1-1 and 1-0). Pafos also started the third qualifying round well, defeating Dynamo 1-0. To advance to the playoffs of the main Champions League stage, the Cypriots need to avoid defeat at home.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 8 of their last 9 European matches (5 wins and 3 draws).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 4 of Pafos's last 5 European matches.
- The team has not lost in regular time in 5 consecutive home European fixtures (4 wins and 1 draw).
Predicted lineup for Pafos (4-3-3)
Neophytos Michael – David Gomez Goldar, Derrick Luckassen, Kostas Pileas, Joao Correia – Ivan Sunjic, Vlad Dragomir, Pepe Rodrigues – Djaja, Muamer Tankovic, Mislav Orsic.
Dynamo Kyiv
Last season, the Ukrainians reached the playoffs of the Champions League general stage but lost their tie and ended up in the main draw of the Europa League. This year, the team might be eliminated from the Champions League qualification in the third round, having lost 0-1 on neutral ground in Poland. To advance further in this European competition, Kyiv needs to win in Cyprus by at least two goals. If they win by a single goal, extra time will be played.
- The Ukrainians have not lost in regular time in 7 of their last 9 Champions League matches (5 wins and 2 draws).
- At least one team failed to score in 5 of Dynamo's last 6 games in this tournament.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 4 previous away matches in this European competition (3 wins and 1 draw).
Predicted lineup for Dynamo Kyiv (4-3-3)
Ruslan Neshcheret – Oleksandr Tymchyk, Vladyslav Dubinchak, Denys Popov, Taras Mykhailko – Mykola Shaparenko, Mykola Mykhaylenko, Volodymyr Brazhko – Oleksandr Pikhaliyonok, Andriy Yarmolenko, Vladyslav Vanat.
Referee
Davide Massa (Italy)
Matches – 13 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.9;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 18;
Penalties – 23%.
Pafos vs. Dynamo Kyiv: Match Prediction
The first meeting showed that the opponents are roughly equal in strength. The match in Poland should have ended in a draw, but one defensive error by the Ukrainians gave the Cypriots the win. The return leg is expected to follow a similar pattern with a lot of midfield battles and minimal threats to the goalkeepers.
Pafos plays excellently at home and has not allowed their opponents to score more than one goal in their last 9 European home matches. However, the Cypriots themselves have only scored more than once in 6 of their last 9 European home games. Kyiv has conceded only one goal in their last 4 away games in this tournament. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians have scored more than one goal in only three of their last 12 away Champions League matches. I believe that in the upcoming match, the teams will not be very prolific, as they will primarily focus on defense.
My prediction: Total under 2.5 goals
