The second leg of the third qualifying round of the 2025/26 Champions League between Pafos (Cyprus) and Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) will take place on August 12 at the Limassol Stadium. The first match ended 1-0 in favor of Pafos. Pafos vs. Dynamo Kyiv: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Pafos
Juan Carlos Carcedo's side continues to impress on the international stage. Last season, the team debuted in European competitions and reached the Round of 16 in the Conference League. This year, the Cypriots won their domestic league for the first time, allowing them to debut in the Champions League. In the previous round, they overcame a strong Maccabi Tel Aviv team (1-1 and 1-0). Pafos also started the third qualifying round well, defeating Dynamo 1-0 away. To advance to the Champions League playoffs, the Cypriots need to avoid losing at home.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 8 of their last 9 European matches (5 wins and 3 draws).
- No more than two goals have been scored in 90 minutes in 4 of Pafos's last 5 European matches.
- At home, the team remains unbeaten in regular time in 5 consecutive European matches (4 wins and 1 draw).
Predicted lineup for Pafos (4-3-3)
Neofytos Michael – David Gomez Goldar, Derrick Luckassen, Kostas Pileas, Joao Correia – Ivan Sunjic, Vlad Dragomir, Pepe Rodrigues – Jaja, Muamer Tankovic, Mislav Orsic.
Dynamo Kyiv
Last season, the Ukrainians reached the playoffs of the Champions League's main stage but lost their tie, ending up in the Europa League's main phase. This year, the team risks being eliminated from the Champions League qualification in the third round, having lost 0-1 on neutral ground in Poland. To progress further in this European competition, Dynamo must win in Cyprus by at least two goals. A narrow victory would lead to extra time.
- The Ukrainians have not lost in regular time in 7 of their last 9 Champions League matches (5 wins and 2 draws).
- At least one team failed to score in 5 of Dynamo's last 6 games in this tournament.
- The club has not lost in regular time in their last 4 away matches in this European competition (3 wins and 1 draw).
Predicted lineup for Dynamo Kyiv (4-3-3)
Ruslan Neshcheret – Oleksandr Tymchyk, Vladyslav Dubinchak, Denys Popov, Taras Mykhailenko – Mykola Shaparenko, Mykola Mykhailenko, Volodymyr Brazhko – Oleksandr Pikhalyonok, Andriy Yarmolenko, Vladyslav Vanat.
Referee
Davide Massa (Italy)
Matches – 13 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.9;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 18;
Penalties – 23%.
Pafos vs. Dynamo Kyiv: Match Prediction
As the first match demonstrated, the opponents are evenly matched. The game in Poland should have ended in a draw, but a single defensive error gave the victory to the Cypriots. The return leg is expected to follow a similar pattern, with much midfield battle and minimal threats to the goals.
Pafos performs excellently at home and has not allowed opponents to score more than one goal in their last 9 European home matches. However, the Cypriots themselves have not scored more than once in 6 of their last 9 home European games. Dynamo, in their last 4 away games in this tournament, have conceded only 1 goal. Meanwhile, the Ukrainians have scored more than one goal in only 3 of their last 12 away Champions League matches. I believe both clubs will focus more on defense, leading to a low-scoring game.
My prediction: Total under 2.5 goals
