After recording the 8:1 aggregate win over Besiktas, Dynamo Kyiv are looking to continue the rich vein of form when they play host to Manchester City. The Citizens have had a lot of problems on the European travels this season, so they will have to show a massive improvement if they want to win this game.

Dynamo hammered Besiktas

Dynamo Kyiv failed to make it to the Champions League group stages this term as they were eliminated by Ajax, and the team had a poor start of the Europa League campaign, but they quickly returned to the right track and are now on course to reach the final stages of the competition. Despite entering the Besiktas clash after two months without competitive action, Dynamo hammered the Eagles both home and away to record 8:1 aggregate win over the Turkish giants and earn the chance to face Manchester City. The Ukrainians have shown a massive improvement ever since Yuri Semin took over, while their impressive home performances in European competitions give them a reason for optimism before the City game. Having already dropped out of the title race in domestic championship, the hosts will fully focus on the Europa League campaign and try to get as far as possible, and I definitely see them as favourites against somewhat indifferent Manchester City.

New signing Oleksandr Aliyev is ineligible to face City, while Taras Mikhalik remains long-term worry.

City looking to improve on the travels

Manchester City have had a mixed success this season, seeing that Citizens have shown some potential in certain games, but the season could still end in bitter disappointment as Roberto Mancini’s side are unlikely to win any trophies this term, while they could still miss out on the top 4 finish. Despite the heavy spending during the last two years, Roberto Mancini hasn’t been able to create a team capable of playing well consistently, and the Italian look unable to control the massive egos in the City dressing room. As a result, the Citizens record pretty good results at home, but their away performances are simply awful. City have drawn five and lost two out of their last seven away games despite playing sides like Leicester, Notts County and Aris in that period, so I am definitely not prepared to back them to beat very good Dynamo side.

Nigel De Jong and James Milner have not fully recovered and they could start on the bench, while Jerome Boateng could be out for personal reasons. Kolo Toure is suspended after failing a drug test, while Adam Johnson and Shay Given remain sidelined.

Verdict

Freezing temperatures, current form and impressive home performances put Dynamo in the driving seat here, especially after the amazing 8:1 aggregate win over Besiktas. Considering their dismal away form, City would be more than happy with one point from this match, but they could still end up empty handed.

Our prediction: Home win

Odds: 2.60 (8/5)

Bookmaker: 888Sport