Kiev can hold Man City, Atleti to down PSV in Champions League

Dynamo are currently second in their Ukrainian Premier League standings on goal difference, but have been enjoying a winter break from the start of December, with proceedings not recommencing until March.

The home outfit could therefore be either well refreshed for City’s arrival or out of match practise, and a stalemate is 23/10 to occur in Ukraine during what could be a closer contest than many initially expected.

Sergio Aguero will be key to grabbing an away goal and is 11/4 to open proceedings, while teenage talent Kelechi Iheanacho and reliable midfielder Yaya Toure are evens and 15/8 respectively to net anytime.

Pellegrini not overlooking Kiev

Pellegrini’s men are still in the hunt for three trophies this term, despite recent setbacks, and the Chilean coach has warned his team not to underestimate their last 16 first leg opponents.

“If we think that it will be easy then, for sure, we will be eliminated. I will always put up the example of Malaga,” said the 62-year-old, who will be replaced by Pep Guardiola in July.

“Everyone wanted to play us because they thought it would be easy, but we beat some good teams. The performance and the result is the important thing, not the team we are playing. We must play a very good game if we want to qualify.”

If an upset is to happen then Kiev attacker Andriy Yarmolenko could be the main goal threat and is 2/1 to strike anytime, with his teammate Oleksandr Yakovenko 4/1 to dispatch on home soil.

PSV Eindhoven v Atletico Madrid

• Champions League last 16, first leg
• Wednesday, February 24th
• Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
• Philips Stadion, Eindhoven
• Live on BT Sport 2

Atleti aim for away success at PSV

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid travel to the Netherlands for their last 16 first leg clash with PSV Eindhoven on the back of some stuttering form, while their Dutch opponents have been flying of late.

The hosts have won seven of their last eight games since returning from the winter break, with that defeat being in a cup clash, and Phillip Cocu’s men are riding high at the Eredivisie summit, ahead of rivals Ajax.

Atleti have been failing to turn dominant spells into positive results of late, having won just twice in seven outings, but they are still a tough team to crack, with their superior defence being key, and are 17/10 t win to nil.

Potent PSV attack against astute Atleti defence

Coming into this last 16 match-up, the Dutch hosts have been rampantly firing in the goals, becoming the Eredivisie’s top scorers with an impressive 56 goals in 24 games, with Lightbulbs frontman Luuk de Jong being the top-flight’s leading marksman with 17 strikes.

In contrast to their opponents, Atletico have been struggling for goals but possess the joint-best backline across Europe’s top five divisions alongside Bayern Munich, after conceding only 11 times in 25 matches.

Simeone’s side held fourth-placed La Liga rivals Villarreal to a 0-0 draw last time out, while PSV managed a comfortable 2-0 triumph, and another stalemate here can be had at 5/2.

With key forward De Jong suspended, the hosts will be relying on attacker Luciano Narsingh for goals and he is 11/4 to strike anytime, while Jurgen Locadia is available at the same price, with Chelsea-owned midfielder Marco van Ginkel 6/1 to get on the scoresheet.

Clinical Frenchman Antoine Griezmann is 4/1 to open proceedings for the visitors, while former Premier League hitman Fernando Torres is 5/1 to net the game’s last goal, with Luciano Vietto a 7/4 chance to find the target.

Related

Read our extensive Champions League archive.

Coral’s top tip: Back Dynamo Kiev to hold Man City to a draw on home soil at 23/10.