Dynamo Kyiv vs Universitatea Cluj prediction, preview & betting tips – 09/07/26

Dynamo Kyiv will look to take a significant step towards the second round of Europa League qualifying when they welcome Universitatea Cluj to Arena Lublin for their first-round, first-leg clash on Thursday.

The hosts finished fourth in the Ukrainian Premier League last season and earned their place in Europe’s secondary club competition through a domestic cup triumph, while the visitors finished as runners-up in the Romanian top flight.

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 Universitatea Cluj key stats

• Universitatea Cluj have failed to score in each of their last three matches.
• Five of Kyiv’s last seven outings have yielded at least three goals, with six seeing both teams find the net.
• None of Dynamo’s most recent nine games has produced five or more yellow cards, while only two of Cluj’s last seven affairs have exceeded that mark.

Dynamo Kyiv vs Universitatea Cluj preview: Instant Europa League redemption for Dynamo?

Dynamo Kyiv vs Universitatea Cluj — Tale of the Tape

Dynamo Kyiv	vs	Universitatea Cluj
4th (Ukrainian Premier League)	Position	2nd (Romanian SuperLiga)
57	Points	46
66	Goals For	61
36	Goals Against	38
8	Clean Sheets	15
2nd	Home/ Away Rank	3rd

After romping to league glory in 2024-25, Dynamo Kyiv endured a disappointing title defence last season, finishing fourth – their lowest position since 2023 – as Shakhtar Donetsk claimed the championship.

Appointed in November to rescue what was becoming a disastrous campaign, Igor Kostyuk delivered cup success and now prepares for his first full season with the senior team after eight years managing the Under-19s.

Kostyuk’s first task will be to guide Dynamo through the Europa League qualifiers, with group stage qualification the minimum expectation, especially after last season’s playoff defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

With European matches still not taking place in Ukraine, Dynamo will host Universitatea Cluj at Arena Lublin, where they have won their last two matches by a combined score of 6-0 and five of nine overall (L3, D1).

Having scored first in seven of their last nine matches, Kyiv will be eager to make another fast start and seize control of the tie ahead of next week’s return leg.

Universitatea Cluj were in contention for a domestic double late in the 2025-26 campaign but failed to win any of their final three matches in all competitions, suffering defeat in the cup final to Universitatea Craiova and finishing second in the league behind the same opponents.

Back on the European stage after a disappointing first-round exit to Ararat-Armenia in last season’s Conference League qualifiers, Universitatea Cluj will be eager to avoid another early setback but have it all to do.

Cristiano Bergodi’s side have failed to score in five of their last six matches and have conceded 12 goals in that span, including three in a recent 3-0 pre-season defeat to Nyiregyhaza.

Cluj are set to become just the third Romanian team to face the hosts, who have lost only two of their previous nine encounters with Steaua Bucharest and Universitatea Craiova combined.

Dynamo Kyiv vs Universitatea Cluj form guide & betting tips

Dynamo Kyiv vs Universitatea Cluj — Last 5 Form Guide

Dynamo Kyiv	vs	Universitatea Cluj
D W W L W	Form	L D D L L
13	Goals For	1
7	Goals Against	12
N/A	Europa League	N/A

Whispers predicts: Dynamo Kyiv 3-1 Universitatea Cluj

Dynamo finished last season strongly, recording four consecutive wins, and have continued that form in pre-season, remaining unbeaten in four of their five warm-up matches. Facing an out-of-sorts Universitatea Cluj should prove enticing for the hosts, and we back them to secure victory at 11/20 (1.55).

Despite Cluj's recent woes in front of goal, we are backing them to get on the score sheet here, landing BTTS – Yes at 4/5 (1.80).

Recent matches involving either Dynamo Kyiv (five of their last seven) or Universitatea Cluj (five of their last six) have featured 10 or fewer corners, so backing under 10 corners at Evens (2.00) could prove a smart selection.

📈 Dynamo Kyiv vs. Universitatea Cluj — Whispers' Tips

> Match result – Dynamo Kyiv to win at 11/20 (1.55) | Likelihood: Possible

> BTTS at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Possible

> Under 10 corners at Evens (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable