Dynamo Kiev v Barcelona: Champions League Betting Preview

Champions League / Dave Farrar / 08 December 2009 / Leave a Comment

"Barca are a class above pretty much any other side in Europe, and I strongly fancy them to come away with a win."

Dave Farrar doesn't believe Pep Guardiola's men will settle for a point in the Ukraine. Instead, we should expect a classic Barca away performance...

It's amazing just how quickly the momentum can change at a football club.

Going into their previous Champions League matchday against Inter, Barcelona looked vulnerable, and the reigning champions knew that they were in serious peril. And then, without Lionel Messi or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they produced an astonishing performance, and ended the evening at the Camp Nou having completely humiliated Inter.

Since then, with the two star men back, they have beaten Real Madrid, and won fairly comfortably at both Xerez and Deportivo La Coruna. Barca have drawn 0-0 in both of their previous away games in this season's competition, and that scoreline would be enough to take them through from the group, but not necessarily enough to win it. I don't believe that Pep Guardiola will send his side to the Ukraine to play for a 0-0, as that's a risky strategy which would leave them vulnerable to a moment of magic from Andrei Shevchenko and co, so I expect a classic Barca away performance.

They'll be resolute, keep possession obsessively, and make it extremely difficult for Kiev to get hold of the ball in attacking areas.

Dynamo are hard to beat, with only Inter, Barcelona and Shakhtar managing that feat since the start of the Ukrainian season in July, but I think that Gazzaev's side will find once again that Barca are a class above pretty much any other side in Europe, and I strongly fancy them to come away with a win.

The last time that Barca were in Kiev, they were beaten by three goals to nil on a night which was dominated by Sergei Rebrov. That was the beginnings of Lobanovski's stellar team which should have won the Champions League in 1999, but this side, while strong and impressive at times, is no match for that one, and I don't think that they have the inspiration in forward areas to truly trouble Barca.

So while under 2.5 goals, and the 1-0 and 2-0 correct scores both make some appeal, I'll keep things simple, and strongly support Barca to win the match and continue the run of form which is starting to make them look the European team to beat all over again.

Recommended Bet: Bacelona to beat Dynamo Kiev @ [1.8]