Dynamo Kiev v Benfica: Portuguese can keep it clean on away trip

Dynamo Kiev 3.55/2 v Benfica 2.35/4; The Draw 3.412/5
Tuesday 14 September, 20:00
Live on BT Sport Extra

Last-16 not out of reach

Usually teams drawn in a group alongside Barcelona and Bayern Munich would accept that they are playing for third place before a ball is kicked, but there are reasons for Dynamo Kiev and Benfica to be hopeful.

While Bayern Munich look destined to win Group E, Barcelona’s financial struggles and their resulting fire-sale of players, surely gives a chance to one of these sides to cause an upset. Benfica look the likeliest candidates to challenge for a place in the last-16.

The Portuguese giants have won all five of their Primeira Liga games this season, which has given them a four point lead over second placed Sporting Lisbon and Porto in third. Benfica have already faced two tough opponents to reach the group stage, beating Spartak Moscow 4-0 on aggregate and then defeating PSV 2-1 over two-legs.

Dynamo Kiev have a near perfect record themselves. They have won six of their seven games so far (D1) and qualified directly for the group stage, having won the Ukrainian Premier League by an 11 point margin last season.

Benfica yet to concede away in Europe

Benfica are the favourites at 2.35/4, with the draw at 3.412/5 and Dynamo Kiev at 3.55/2.

If Benfica are to finish above Barcelona, this is the sort of game that they need to win. In last season’s Champions League, Barca and Juventus were both able to beat Dynamo home and away.

Benfica represent a real step up in class from any side that Kiev have faced this season. The visitors are a decent price at 2.35/4, but as they have kept clean sheets in both of their away games in Europe this season, you might want to take a chance on them to win to nil at 3.814/5.