Dynamo Kyiv vs Rennes

Krakow’s Stadion MKS Cracovia is the venue Dynamo Kyiv and Rennes square off in an exciting Europa League encounter.

Dynamo Kyiv’s underwhelming domestic start is now a matter of history as they’ve won three consecutive Ukrainian Premier League matches ‘to nil,’ including a 3-0 thumping of Rukh Lviv at the weekend. However, they’ll have to translate their domestic renaissance to Europe if they’re to recover from a horrific three-game losing Europa League start. With second-placed Rennes seven points clear at the halfway stage of Group B following a late 2-1 victory in the reverse leg last weekend, Kyiv will have to defy their woeful European record against French clubs. Indeed, the ‘Blue & Whites’ have lost over 50% of their previous showdowns against Ligue 1 sides (W6, D4, L12). Unable to rely on home comforts due to the Russian invasion of their country, Mircea Lucescu’s men can hardly draw inspiration from a disastrous five-match losing run in European football.

In the meantime, Rennes have been one of the most amusing teams to watch in this season’s Europa League, with each of their three Group B fixtures seeing over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring (W2, D1). Entertainment aside, ‘Les Rennais’ have hit their stride, winning three successive games in all competitions while averaging 2.66 goals per match. That’s promising as the Ligue 1 heavyweights take this trip on the back of consecutive European defeats away to Ukrainian adversaries, including a 3-1 loss at Dynamo Kyiv in the 2018/19 Europa League group stages. By contrast, Bruno Genesio’s lads have been victorious in four of their last five away contests in European football (L1), this after losing seven on the spin beforehand. It’s worth noting that none of Rennes’ 29 previous road trips in major European competitions have ended level.