Rennes – Dynamo Kyiv

French club to clinch three points in home meeting

Rennes vs Dynamo Kyiv will play the third leg of the Europa League group stage on 6 October. The French club initially looked like favourites in the group. The Ukrainian team have been disappointing so far, and they are unlikely to score any points in the upcoming encounter. The hosts will not have midfielder Batiste Santamaria, midfielder Kamaldin Sulemana and defender Varmad Amari. On the other hand, team leader Maarten Terrier has been in fine form, scoring three goals and providing one assist in the last four games. The injured goalkeeper Georgiy Bouchan, one of the leaders of the team, is still out with Dinamo. Mykola Shaparenko also continues to be absent. Four years ago, the clubs already crossed paths in the Europa League group stage. Then, Dinamo defeated the French twice, and made it through to the play-offs from the top spot. Despite two defeats from Kyiv, Rennes finished second. Rennes has lost only two games this season, which fell in the opening rounds of the French Ligue 1. From there, the Red-Blacks have gradually improved, their leaders gained their best form and in the last games Rennes looked as strong as last season, when for a long time they fought for the silver medal in the championship. The same cannot be said of Dynamo. So far, the Kyiv side have been disappointing. All their achievements have been in the Champions League qualifying, when they got past Fenerbahce and Sturm. Then there was a beating from Benfica, and a complete failure in the opening rounds of the UPL. No minimal victories over Minaya and Lviv will make the impression of such results disappear. Given the unconvincing results of the Ukrainian club and the fact that the Kyivians will have to play away, bookmakers put the French side as the clear favorite. We must agree with the odds. Sensation will not happen. We're expecting an entertaining encounter, but the outcome is easy to predict. Rennes will delight their fans and not play with their hands down in a home encounter. Mircea Lucescu will not make a miracle, so Dynamo will not be able to put up decent resistance. The visitors are unlikely to be defeated, but the French team will not miss out on a great opportunity to secure three points. We should bet on Rennes to win.