Europa League Group B Odds & Betting Preview: Dynamo Kiev Even-Money to Top Group
- Ukrainians won EL group in each of past two seasons
- Second-favored FC Copenhagen in better domestic form in Denmark
- Sweden’s Malmo FF and Switzerland’s Lugano are outsiders
Dynamo Kiev are the most successful Ukrainian club in European competition and will hope to make an impact in the Europa League after reaching the round of 16 last season.
Although they are currently placed fifth in their homeland’s Premier League, they are favorites to win Group B in the secondary European tournament ahead of Denmark’s FC Copenhagen.
Dynamo were eliminated in 2018-19 by the eventual winners, Chelsea, and are priced at +100 to top their section this autumn.
Copenhagen are favored second at +275 with Malmo FF of Sweden at +500 and Switzerland’s Lugano at +550.
Europa League 2019 -20 Group B Odds
| Team | Odds to Qualify | Odds to Win |
|---|---|---|
| Dynamo Kiev | -333 | +100 |
| FC Copenhagen | -145 | +275 |
| Malmo FF | +130 | +500 |
| Lugano | +175 | +550 |
*Odds taken at 2019/09/12
Kiev have been group stage winners in the Europa League in each of the past two seasons. In 2018-19 they finished ahead of Rennes of France, Kazakhstan’s Astana and the Czech Republic’s Jablonec.
By contrast, Copenhagen finished bottom of their group last season and in second place in 2017-18 – helping to explain why Kiev have the edge in the betting.
The analysts price Dynamo Kiev at -333 to qualify either first or second. Copenhagen are rated at -145 with Malmo at +130 and Lugano at +175.
Quarterfinalists in 2014-15
The Ukrainian side’s greater European pedigree also makes them favorites. They were quarterfinalists in the Europa League in 2014-15 and have competed in the Champions League group stage three times since 2009-10, although with little success.
Last autumn Copenhagen finished behind Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg, the Czechs of Slavia Prague and French side Bordeaux in their Europa League group.
Finally the #lord #bendtner best striker in the world is returning to Denmarkhttps://t.co/3IQ87RKmlZ
— henrik kirk (@henrikkirk2) September 3, 2019
They have reached the UCL group stage three times in 2006-07, 2010-11 and 2016-17.
Only twice in seven Europa League group stage campaigns have the Danes progressed beyond the group stage.
Kiev and Copenhagen will progress to the knockout stage. However, based on current domestic form, it could be closer than the odds suggest at the top despite the Ukrainians European pedigree. The Danes could spring a surprise.
Only twice, however, in seven Europa League group stage campaigns have the Danes progressed beyond the group stage.
Dynamo meet Malmo at home in their opening Europa League fixture on Thursday, September 19, at Olympic Stadium, Kiev, at 12:55 pm EST.
Copenhagen face Lugano at home at Parken Stadion, Copenhagen, at 12:55 pm EST,
Stuttering Start in Home League
After winning their opening two Ukraine Premier League matches this summer, Kiev were beaten by champions Shaktar Donetsk and have since drawn twice ahead of this weekend’s games.
Copenhagen – reigning Danish champions – have won seven times and lost once to sit second in the Superliga table.
The first trophy in the new season! ? pic.twitter.com/cDfHd7WqWo
— FC Dynamo English (@dynamokyiven) July 28, 2019
Dynamo are a club steeped in history and were winners of the now-defunct European Cup Winners Cup in 1975 and 1986.
Copenhagen were beaten by Red Star Belgrade in the third qualifying round of the UCL.
They entered European competition this season at the third qualifying round stage of the Champions League but were eliminated by Belgium’s Club Brugge – sending them directly into the Europa League group stage.
Copenhagen – who are in their 19th successive European campaign – were beaten by Red Star Belgrade in the third qualifying round of the UCL. They then won a Europa League playoff against Riga of Latvia.
For the second season in succession, Malmo are the only Swedish team in European competition.
Malmo were second in their Europa League group last season before being knocked out by Chelsea in the last 32.
European Cup finalists in 1978-79, they competed in the UCL group stage as recently as 2015-16.
Training, always learning ⚽️?#FCLugano #Lugano #Training pic.twitter.com/ZCwqA5gIAI
— Antoine Viterale (@AViterale) September 10, 2019
Malmo was second in their Europa League group last season before being knocked out by Chelsea in the last 32.
Their inferior status to Kiev and Copenhagen is shown by the fact they had to win four Europa League qualifying ties to reach the group stage – against Ballymena, Domzale, Zrinjski and, in the playoff, Bnei Yahuda of Isreal.
Along with Glasgow Rangers, Malmo are one of only two teams to reach the group stage after commencing competition in the first qualifying round.
The Swedes are currently placed third in their domestic league – ahead of the weekend’s fixtures – with eight games remaining.
Failed to Progress
In their previous Europa League group stage appearance in 2011-12, they failed to progress.
In the current form of group outsiders Lugano is poor. They are ninth in the ten-team Swiss Super League after four defeats, one win and a draw.
'You usually get this after you die, but I still feel alive'
Zlatan Ibrahimovic to get statue in his hometown of Malmo to mark his illustrious 20-year careerhttps://t.co/eOqCfhUyDv
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) September 11, 2019
They finished third in the table last season to secure an automatic group stage place in the Europa League.
They are in the group stage for the second time in three seasons. They finished third in their first entry at that stage in 2017-18.
This was their first entry into European competition since 2002/03.
Prediction: 1st Dynamo Kiev; 2nd FC Copenhagen
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
