Champions League preview and odds: Dynamo Kiev vs Manchester City

Published on: 22/02/2016

Champions League preview and odds: Dynamo Kiev vs Manchester City

February 24, 2016 19:45pm - NSC Olimpiyskiy

Champions League - Round of 16, First leg

Manchester City will be hoping to make it to the Champions League quarter-finals for the very time by overcoming a Dynamo Kiev side that last made it to the last eight in 1999.

Dynamo back in Round of 16 after 16-year break

Dynamo Coach Serhiy Rebrov was leading the line as a player the last time the club appeared at this stage of the tournament back in 1999/00.

Due to the winter break, his team have not played a competitive game since they beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 at home to secure second place in Group G back in December. However, the Ukrainians have played more than a dozen friendly matches during that time, the most recent being a 2-1 home win over Norwegian side Strømsgodset.

Since Dynamo`s 0-2 Europa League defeat to Valencia just over two years ago, only fellow countrymen Shaktar Donetsk have beaten them on home soil in a competitive match.

City braced for Pep arrival

Following the announcement that Pep Guardiola will be replacing Manuel Pellegrini as City boss in the summer, it has been suggested that some players have been giving less than 100% in the club`s Premier League campaign.

With his departure confirmed, the Chilean Coach will be hoping to the leave the club on a high note by guiding them to that latter stages of Europe`s elite club competition. If he is going to achieve that, he will need the full commitment of his talented squad.

The Sky Blues come into this game on the back of three straight defeats in all competitions - the most recent being a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Chelsea in the FA Cup. Prior to that, they fell to back-to-back Premier League defeats against title rivals Tottenham Hotspur (1-2) and Leicester City (1-3).

Team news

Manchester City are still without some key players including Kevin De Bruyne, Eliaquim Mangala, Fabian Delph and Wilfried Bony, while Jesus Navas remains a doubt.

Recent form (league)

Dynamo Kiev: WWWWW

Manchester City: LLWDW

Betting odds and tips

Both Porto and Chelsea managed to draw in Ukraine in the group stage of the tournament - the same result would suit a City team that have not won any of their last three games.

The home side`s lack of competitive football could cancel out their home advantage, making the draw even more attractive.

The Draw can be backed at 12/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 22/02/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (22/02/2016 15:47:16) but are subject to change.