Champions League Group G: Chelsea duel with Dynamo Kiev
Published:
Holly Thackeray | October 19th
Dynamo Kiev v Chelsea
- Champions League
- Tuesday, October 20th
- Kick-off: 19:45 BST
- NSC Olimpiyskiy, Kiev
- Live on BT Sport 2
Chelsea tackle tough Kiev challenge
Having recently turned around their domestic troubles with a Premier League triumph versus Aston Villa, Jose Mourinho’s men will want to keep the ball rolling with a win here too, and are priced at 8/5 to do just that.
Chelsea aren’t often anything but odds-on for victory, so it makes sense to pounce in this potentially profitable moment, while they are emphatically returning to form.
In a stroke of good fortune for the ‘Special One’, Ukrainian champions Dynamo’s dangerous unbeaten run of 12 games across all competitions was halted abruptly by rivals Shakhtar Donetsk last time out. So, while the Blues are buoyed and their hosts disheartened, back the Stamford Bridge side at 21/5 to take the spoils but both teams to score.
A draw on the road at 9/4 in such a far-flung fixture would be no drama, though Chelsea should really be seeking to loosen the shackles and silence critics.
In-form Willain returns to face former foes
A former Shakhtar Donestk star, Willian knows how to score against Dynamo, and is in deadly form after notching six times in his last seven appearances for both club and country. Back the Brazilian whizz at 11/4 to get on the scoresheet yet again anytime.
Forntman Diego Costa also appears back to his best after assisting and scoring against Villa upon his return from suspension, so is worth a punt at 9/2 to net first, while Eden Hazard faces a fight to make the starting XI. The brilliant Belgian was left on the bench in the Blues’ previous battle, with Mourinho preferring the industry of Pedro and Willian.
After that match Mourinho stated: “It was just a tactical decision, leaving super quality on the bench, but bringing tactical discipline and hoping that the team could be solid.
“I continue that way, or he [Hazard] comes in our direction and tries to replicate the same work that Willian and Pedro did.”.
Dynamo dangers
Chelsea will have to be equally wary of their hosts’ hitmen, however. Eternally Premier League-linked attacker Andriy Yarmolenko (2/1 in the anytime market) has been among the goals lately, and the Kiev club also boast midfield threat Denys Garmash (4/1) and striker Junior Moraes (7/4).
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