First leg of the 2025/26 Champions League second qualifying round between Hamrun (Malta) and Dynamo Kyiv (Ukraine) will take place on July 22 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium. Hamrun vs. Dynamo Kyiv: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Hamrun
In the first round of the Champions League qualifiers, Hamrun faced Zalgiris. They lost the opening away match 0-2 but managed an incredible comeback at home, taking the game to a penalty shootout and winning 11-10. This success was historic as Hamrun advanced past the first qualifying round for the first time in the Champions League. In their previous seven attempts, the team was eliminated at this stage. Additionally, the victory ended a streak of four consecutive home defeats in European competitions.
In the summer, the team appointed Italian Giacomo Modica as the new head coach.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 4 of the last 5 home matches in European tournaments.
- Hamrun has not conceded more than two goals in their last five Champions League games.
- In 8 of the last 10 home international matches, the club has not lost by more than two goals.
Predicted lineup for Hamrun (4-4-1-1)
Henry Bonello – Raphael Petrillo Compri, Vincenzo Polito, Domantas Simkus, Ognen Bjelicic – Jovan Cadenovic, Ryan Camenzuli, Joseph Mbong, Eder – Merlin Hadji – Ndri Philippe Kofi.
Dynamo Kyiv
By winning the Ukrainian championship, the club earned a spot in the second round of the Champions League qualifiers. In the 21st century, the club has participated in this tournament 22 times, with the best performance in the 2015/16 season, reaching the round of 16. Last European season, the team also started from the second round of the Champions League but failed to progress through the final qualification stage and moved to the main stage of the Europa League. Their performance was disappointing, finishing 34th out of 36 possible, with only 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 6 losses).
The squad has not undergone significant changes this offseason.
- Ukrainians have not won in 18 of their last 21 away matches in the Champions League.
- The team has conceded in 15 of the last 17 away matches in this tournament.
- In 7 of the last 9 away games in European competitions, at least one team failed to score.
Predicted lineup for Dynamo Kyiv (4-5-1)
Ruslan Neshcheret – Taras Mikhavko, Oleksandr Karavaev, Kristian Bilovar, Vladyslav Dubinchak – Mykola Mykhailenko, Oleksandr Pikhalyonok, Andriy Yarmolenko, Mykola Shaparenko, Vladyslav Kabayev – Vladyslav Vanat.
Referee
Cesar Soto Grado (Spain)
Matches – 24 (International matches and Spanish Championship, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 98;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 6;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 25%.
Hamrun vs. Dynamo Kyiv: Match Prediction
Hamrun advanced through the first qualifying round of the Champions League in an extraordinary manner – after trailing 0-2 in the first away match, they managed to level the score at home and won on penalties 11-10. Following such an emotional success, the club will likely try to build on this momentum, especially in the upcoming home game. Additionally, the match will be played on artificial turf, which Dynamo Kyiv will need to adapt to.
It should be noted that the Kyiv club has not played any official matches this season, meaning the players' form might not be at its peak. Hamrun, however, consistently fights for results at home: in 7 of the last 10 European matches at their ground, the team has not lost by more than one goal. Meanwhile, Dynamo has not won with a handicap of (-1.5) in 19 of their last 21 away matches in the Champions League, as well as in the last five European away games.
Considering all this, my prediction: Hamrun to win with a handicap (+1.5)
