Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the UEFA Champions League match.
In the first leg, Red Bull Salzburg and Dynamo Kyiv disappointed neutral viewers with a lack of dangerous situations. The second leg is likely to present a different scenario: the Ukrainian side has nothing to lose, so they will go on the offensive, while the Austrian team will aim to capitalise on counter-attacks.
Red Bull Salzburg
In seven games this season, Red Bull Salzburg have secured six wins, with their only draw in the return leg against Twente (3:3). Salzburg surpassed a total over 2.5 five times, as the new manager has them focusing on open, attacking football. The first leg against the Ukrainian team saw them register 1.95 xG from 16 shots, and even the early substitution of the injured full-back Aleksa Terzic did not hinder their attacking potential.
Dynamo Kyiv
Last week, Dynamo Kyiv suffered their first setback of the season, ending a six-game unbeaten run. They have a similar record in terms of goal-scoring (five out of seven matches hitting total over 2.5), highlighting Oleksandr Shovkovskyi's emphasis on attacking football. The Ukrainian side may have learned valuable lessons from the match in Lublin, where they created 0.93 xG with four shots on target, just falling short of scoring.
Red Bull Salzburg - Dynamo Kyiv Prediction
Salzburg are dealing with several injuries (six first-team players sidelined), meaning Dynamo Kyiv will not hold back at any stage of the match. The Ukrainian team is clinging to their last chance to reach the Champions League, and the Austrian side will likely support their offensive approach as well.
