Maritimo take on the visitors Dynamo Kiev at "Estadio dos Barreiros" in the first-leg match of the Qualification final round of the UEFA Europa League. The game will be played in Funchal on Thursday, August 17th.
Maritimo finished last season sitting on the sixth position in the Portuguese Primeira Liga with 50 points taken and 34-32 goal difference. In summer the Portuguese actively participated in friendly clashes, having got three victories, two draws and two losses in them. In the Eurocups Maritimo knocked out Bulgarian Botev Plovdiv 0:0, 2:0. In the Portuguese Primeira Liga the team conducted two encounters resulting in 1:0 triumph over Ferreira and 0:1 defeat to Belenenses. The Portuguese have not been broken in face of their fans since the 11th of January across 12 matches in a row recording eight wins and four draws in them.
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Dynamo Kiev have failed the season already which was clear after their loss to Young Boys 3:1, 0:2 in the UEFA Champions League and the Swiss' promotion further. The side's participation in the UEFA Europa League means lower income and prestige, that is why Dynamo Kiev have failed the season, no matter what is announced by the club management. In the Ukrainian Premier League, where is no serious clubs to a large extend except Dynamo Kiev and Shakhtar Donetsk, Aleksandr Khatskevich's team is leading in the table with 13 points gained and 11-1 goal difference after five rounds.
It will be the first head-to-head for the Portuguese and the Ukrainians. The visitors' class is higher than Maritimo one, but it is only on paper as it was shown by the clash in Bern the side from Kiev may disappear at the pitch. I believe that Aleksandr Khatskevich's team will not conduct two poor games in a row against moderate European football clubs.
Prediction for the match: Dynamo Kiev to win with 0.0 Asian handicap.
