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Chelsea have managed to climb up to 11th in Premier League standings after a disastrous start to the season that saw them win only three of nine games so far this season. Even in Europe they have won 1 and lost another. It’s not the start of champions but they will take some solace from their win over Aston Villa on the weekend before travelling to Kyiv to face the table-toppers of the Ukrainian Premier League.
Well, almost toppers, Dynamo Kyiv have displayed splendid league form this season as they have 28 points out of 33 and are only in second by goal difference behind Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainians are top of the group in the Champions League as well and are not to be taken lightly. They will be a tough nut to crack as they have been a well-oiled machine under Serhiy Rebrov and will test any team that faces them at the moment, especially one that has been as shaky as the defending Premier League champions.
Kick Off
Channel: Ten Sports
Date and Time: Tuesday, 21st October 2015 – 0015 IST
Venue: Dynamo stadium, Kyiv
Team News
Dynamo Kyiv
The home side have no major injury problems but there is one slight concern for the manager regarding Serhiy Rybalka who’s been a regular in his team. Despite a slight muscle issue, he could still return in time to face the English side.
Chelsea
Jose Mourinho also confirmed a couple of misses for his team, Pedro and Remy will not feature in this fixture but the rest of the squad will be available for selection. The manager decided to keep Eden Hazard on the bench during the weekend, which by his own admission was a tactical move to provide his team with more defensive stability, however, the Belgian could return to the starting line-up during the midweek tie.
Form
Dynamo Kyiv
The Ukrainians led the league standings till last weekend when the lost to Shakhtar Donetsk to concede the first place in league standings to them, although they are as previously mentioned level on points. The defeat brought to end a 38-match unbeaten run in the league for Dynamo. They are regardless of the recent loss, in formidable form.
Last 5 games: WWWWL
Chelsea
The Blues have seen a supreme dip in form this season, they’ve failed even to stay in the top half of the Premier League table. As they currently sit 11th, Mourinho must ponder a revival of their season if they are to salvage anything at all going forward. It's hard to predict which Chelsea will show up in the next game but it’s likely that Dynamo already smell blood and will go for the kill.
Last 5 games: WDLLW
Key Stats
Dynamo Kyiv have failed to get out of the Champions League group stage in their last 10 attempts, they’ve made it to the competition 15 times.
The next goal Eden Hazard scored for Chelsea will be his 50th for the club, but he is on his longest goalless run since moving to the Blues (15 games).
Willian has scored 4 times in his last 5 appearances for Chelsea.
Chelsea are 12 points worse off in the league at this stage in the season as compared to last time.
Probable Line-ups
Dynamo Kyiv (4-3-3): Shovkovskiy; Silva, Dragovic, Khacheridi, Antunes; Rybalka, Veloso, Garmash; Gusev, Yarmolenko, Kravets
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Baba, Terry, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Matic, Ramires; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Costa
Betting Odds
Dynamo Kyiv: 19/10
Draw: 23/10
Chelsea: 13/8
Prediction
This is the first time that the two teams will meet in any competition and since it’s also a game that Dynamo are playing at home, they may have the edge and could get something out of the game if they go for the jugular against a rattled Chelsea side. Mourinho, however, has known to be shrewd in away games in the Champions League and the side that he puts out could play for a draw.
Dynamo Kyiv 1-1 Chelsea
