The Matchday 7 clash in the 2024/25 Europa League group stage between Galatasaray (Turkey) and Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) will take place on January 21 at Rams Park Stadium in Istanbul. Galatasaray vs. Dynamo Kyiv: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Predicted lineups for Galatasaray vs. Dynamo Kyiv
Galatasaray (3-4-3): Fernando Muslera – Abdulkerim Bardakci, Davinson Sanchez, Elias Jelert – Metehan Baltaci, Lucas Torreira, Gabriel Sara, Berkan Kutlu – Dries Mertens, Yunus Akgun, Michy Batshuayi.
Dynamo Kyiv (3-4-2-1): Georgiy Bushchan – Christian Bilovar, Maksym Dyachuk, Denys Popov – Vladyslav Dubinchak, Volodymyr Brazhko, Mykola Mykhailenko, Oleksandr Karavaev – Valentyn Rubchynskyi, Nazar Voloshyn – Eduardo Guerrero.
Each team's lineup is based on their previous match in this tournament.
Galatasaray
The Istanbul club remains unbeaten in the Europa League group stage. Only four other teams can boast such a record in the current tournament. The Turks played their last two matches away, managing to draw against AZ Alkmaar (1-1) and Malmö (2-2). Okan Buruk's side is in 6th place in the standings, and a win in the upcoming match will guarantee them a spot in the playoffs of this European competition.
- Both teams have scored in Galatasaray's last nine Europa League matches.
- At least three goals have been scored in 8 of the club's last 9 games in this tournament.
- The Turks have scored two or more goals in 5 of their last 6 Europa League encounters.
Dynamo Kyiv
The Ukrainians visited Real Sociedad in the last round and suffered their third heavy defeat in the current Europa League campaign (0-3). In the other three group stage matches, Kyiv lost by a smaller margin. As a result, Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's team was the first to be eliminated from even a theoretical chance of reaching the playoffs. Notably, the club has scored the fewest goals in the current Europa League (1 goal) and conceded the most (15 goals) in the group stage.
- The Ukrainians are on a 14-match winless streak in this tournament (1 draw and 13 losses).
- In the last seven matches in this European competition, the team has scored just one goal.
- Dynamo has conceded at least two goals in 7 of their last 8 Europa League games.
Galatasaray vs. Dynamo Kyiv: Match Prediction
It seems the Ukrainians will be focusing on the final round, where they face another outsider, RFSh. The current Dynamo is only likely to overcome a representative of the Latvian championship. Moreover, the team lacks match practice, while the Turkish Super Lig is in full swing. Kyiv has looked weak in the Europa League, suffering 13 losses and securing just 1 draw since March 2021.
For Galatasaray, a victory in this match is crucial. At stake is a place in the playoffs. Additionally, there's a chance to finish in the top eight, allowing them to advance directly to the Europa League's round of 16. The Istanbul club is strong at home, boasting a 4-match winning streak in this European competition. Furthermore, they have scored at least three goals in their last four home matches in this tournament. I am confident that the hosts will win by a margin of two or more goals.
My prediction: Galatasaray with a handicap (-2)
