Dyn. Kyiv vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction & Betting Tips (28 August)

Dynamo Kyiv will host Maccabi Tel Aviv in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff tie at Arena Lublin, Poland, with redemption on their minds. After a sobering 3-1 defeat in the first leg, the Ukrainian side must summon a spirited response to overturn the deficit. Nazar Voloshyn’s first-leg goal offered a glimpse of their attacking potential, but defensive lapses—compounded by Kostiantyn Vivcharenko’s red card—left them exposed. Head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi has emphasized urgency and aggression in the return leg, urging his squad to press early and decisively. With veterans like Andriy Yarmolenko and Vladyslav Vanat expected to lead the charge, Dynamo will need a blend of experience and youthful energy to reignite their European campaign.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, arrive in Lublin with confidence and a two-goal cushion. Dor Peretz, the captain and midfield engine, was instrumental in the first leg, scoring twice and dictating tempo. Sagiv Yehezkel added flair and a goal of his own, while Roei Mashpati’s presence in goal provided stability. Under the guidance of Serbian coach Žarko Lazetić, Maccabi have evolved into a tactically disciplined unit with a knack for exploiting transitions. Their recent form—victories over Hamrun Spartans and a solid domestic start—suggests a side peaking at the right moment. Lazetić, now the club’s most experienced European campaigner, will be keen to seal group stage qualification with a composed away performance.

Both teams have had turbulent paths to this playoff round. Dynamo Kyiv were relegated from the Champions League qualifiers after a 3-0 aggregate loss to Pafos, despite earlier dominant wins over Hamrun Spartans. Maccabi Tel Aviv also fell to Pafos but rebounded with back-to-back wins against the Maltese side. The narrative of resilience threads through both squads, yet it’s Maccabi who have shown greater consistency in recent weeks. Dynamo’s domestic form has been promising, including a 4-1 win over Epitsentr, but translating that momentum to continental competition remains their challenge.

Expect a tense, high-stakes encounter where Dynamo Kyiv will throw everything forward in pursuit of a 2-1 win—our predicted scoreline. That result would still see Maccabi advance on aggregate, but it would restore pride and hint at Dynamo’s latent potential. The key will be early pressure and clinical finishing from the hosts, while Maccabi must manage the game with poise and counterattacking precision. With seasoned players on both sides and tactical minds in the dugouts, this clash promises drama, intensity, and a final twist in the tale.