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In the first leg of the second round of Europa League qualifying, Dynamo Kyiv will welcome PAOK to Motor Lublin Arena on Thursday.
After overcoming Universitatea Cluj in the first round of qualifying, the hosts face a significantly more challenging test against PAOK, whose visit to Motor Lublin Arena will be their first game of 2026-27.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Dynamo Kyiv vs PAOK key stats
- Dynamo Kyiv have not been ahead at half time in six of their past eight European fixtures.
- PAOK scored at least two goals in five of their final eight Europa League games in 2025-26.
- Dynamo Kyiv failed to score in five of their eight most recent UEFA affiliated matches.
- Both teams scored in six of PAOK's last nine European games.
Dynamo Kyiv vs PAOK preview: The end of the road for the hosts?
Dynamo Kyiv vs PAOK — Tale of the Tape
| Dynamo Kyiv | vs | PAOK |
|---|---|---|
| 4th (2025-26 Ukrainian Premier League) | Position | 3rd (2025-26 Stoiximan Super League) |
| 57 | Points | 57 |
| 66 | Goals For | 52 |
| 36 | Goals Against | 17 |
| 8 | Clean Sheets | 16 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | 3rd |
Dynamo Kyiv's tie with Universitatea Cluj will not be remembered fondly by many given the two games ended 0-0, with Thursday's hosts eventually winning 4-2 on penalties.
Their two stalemates mean they have now failed to win – across 90 minutes – in six of the their past eight European games, with the club having lost four and won two of their matches in the 2025-26 Conference League league phase.
While Alessio Lisci's side have not played a domestic league match in the Ukrainian top flight this season, the head coach's side finished fourth last term while also claiming the Ukrainian Cup.
Striker Matviy Ponomarenko started both of his side's games in the first round of qualifying, but he failed to score, though he did find the back of the net once in each of his prior four competitive fixtures.
PAOK are yet to begin their season, with the team having ended in third place in the 2025-26 Greek top flight, and that was a second consecutive third-placed finish.
The visitors have played four friendlies in the buildup to Thursday's clash, and it will give boss Alessio Lisci confidence knowing that his side won three of those games, losing just once.
Dikefalos secured 17th in the Europa League league phase last term, though they were eliminated in their subsequent playoff tie with Celta Vigo after losing 3-1 on aggregate, and they ended last season with losses in their final three continental outings.
It should be noted that winger Shola Shoretire is at risk of missing out on his side's fixture due to a knee problem, though he has not yet been declared unfit.
Dynamo Kyiv vs PAOK form guide & betting tips
| Dynamo Kyiv | vs | PAOK |
|---|---|---|
D
W
|
Form |
N/A
|
| 0 | Goals For | N/A |
| 0 | Goals Against | N/A |
DW |
Europa League qualifying | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Dynamo Kyiv 1-2 PAOK
The bookmakers have given Dynamo Kyiv a fair chance of winning at 15/8 (2.88), though they have still predicted that an away win is more likely at 5/4 (2.25).
Considering in PAOK's final nine UEFA games, both sides scored on six occasions, there could be some value in predicting Both Teams to Score at 10/11 (1.91).
Dynamo Kyiv would be right to be cautious given the visitors have often scored at least two goals in Europe, meaning a prediction of PAOK to Score Over 1.5 Goals at 6/4 (2.5) would be sensible.
The hosts have encountered frequent difficulties when it come to taking leads at the interval, so is clear to see why a backing PAOK to Win at Half Time – priced at 2/1 (3) – is so appealing.
> Both Teams to Score at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Possible
> PAOK to Score Over 1.5 Goals at 6/4 (2.5) | Likelihood: Possible
> PAOK to Win at Half Time at 2/1 (3) | Likelihood: Possible