Chelsea v Dynamo Kiev Betting Tips: Blues to keep up strong Europa form?

Preview and odds for Europa League clash

For all of their problems this term, Chelsea have found the Europa League easy going so far.

The Blues have won seven of their eight games in the competition this season, the only blip being a 2-2 draw away at Vidi after they had already topped their group.

So Maurizio Sarri’s men should be confident of claiming a first-leg advantage when they welcome Dynamo Kiev to Stamford Bridge tonight. It kicks off at 8:00pm, live on BT Sport 2…

Head-to-head

Chelsea have met Kiev just twice before, in a pair of Champions League group games three seasons ago. The Blues won 2-1 at the Bridge, after a 0-0 draw in Ukraine.

Form-wise, the West Londoners have won their last two games, including a fine 2-0 win over league rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Sarri’s men have been strong on home soil too, losing just two of their last 27 home games.

Kiev head into this sitting second in the Ukrainian Premier League, some seven points behind Shakhtar Donetsk.

They’re unbeaten in four games since resuming from Ukraine’s annual winter break.

Likely XIs

Sarri has said that his players are ‘physically and mentally tired’ heading into this clash. This will be Chelsea’s seventh game in 18 days, so we should expect changes from the Italian.

Olivier Giroud and Callum Hudson-Odoi could start ahead of Gonzalo Higuain and Eden Hazard. But equally, Chelsea and Sarri will want to wrap this up tonight, and not go to Ukraine requiring a result. Hazard and Willian would offer pace and creativity on the flanks to get the job done.

Kiev coach Aylaksandr Khataskevich has largely gone 4-2-3-1 this season.

That could allow the Ukraine side to counter this evening. Spaniard Fran Sol will lead the line up front.

Key battles

Chelsea should dominate this one, keeping possession while trying to find space for Hazard, Willian or Pedro to run into.

Kiev’s full-backs will have to be on top of their game tonight to keep tabs on the host’s wingers. Emerson and Cesar Azpilicueta will be keen to get forward on the flanks too.

Chelsea will have to keep an eye out at the back, however. Both Leicester and Manchester United have won at the Bridge this season by being effective on the counter. Kiev will look to follow suit.

Match odds

The odds have Chelsea as solid 2/7 favourites to win this first leg. There’s 9/2 about a draw while Kiev are 12/1 underdogs.

We can’t forget about away goals at this stage of the season. There’s 5/4 about Both Teams to Score while Chelsea are 23/10 to win but see Kiev grab a vital away strike.

Looking at goalscorers, Hazard, Higuain and Giroud head up the betting at 3/1 to score first. Ross Barkley scored in both legs over Malmo, and is 21/10 to net anytime.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing