The first leg of the 2025/26 UEFA 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 qualifying round of the Champions League, Hamrun faced Zalgiris. The team lost the first away match 0-2 but managed a comeback at home, taking the game to penalties and winning 11-10. This success was historic: Hamrun advanced past the first qualifying round of the Champions League for the first time. In the previous seven attempts, the team had always been eliminated at this stage. Additionally, the victory ended a run of four consecutive home defeats in European competitions.
This summer, Italian Giacomo Modica became the new head coach of the team.
- More than three goals have not been scored in 4 of the last 5 home matches in European tournaments.
- Hamrun has not conceded more than two goals in the last five Champions League games.
- In 8 of the last 10 home matches on the international stage, 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 Hadzi – Ndri Philippe Coffie.
Dynamo Kyiv
Thanks to winning the Ukrainian championship, the club earned a spot in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. In the 21st century, the club has participated in this tournament 22 times, with the best result being the 2015/16 season when they reached the round of 16. Last European season, the team also started from the second round of the Champions League but failed to pass the final qualifying stage and moved to the main stage of the Europa League. There, the performance was disappointing: the club finished 34th out of 36 possible, earning only 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 6 losses).
The team's lineup has not significantly changed this offseason.
- Ukrainians have not won 18 of the last 21 away matches in the Champions League.
- In 15 of the last 17 away matches in this tournament, the team conceded goals.
- In 7 of the last 9 away games in European competitions, at least one club did not score.
Predicted lineup for Dynamo Kyiv (4-5-1)
Ruslan Neshcheret – Taras Mykhailko, Oleksandr Karavaev, Kristian Bilovar, Vladyslav Dubinchak – Mykola Mykhailenko, Oleksandr Pikhaliyonok, 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 incredible manner – after trailing 0-2 in the first away match, the team managed to equalize at home and won on penalties 11-10. Following such an emotional success, the club will likely try to build on this momentum, at least in the upcoming home game. Moreover, the match will be played on artificial turf, which Dynamo Kyiv will have to get used to.
It should be noted that the Kyiv club has not yet played any official matches this season, meaning the players' match fitness might not be optimal. Hamrun, meanwhile, consistently fights for results at home: in 7 of the last 10 European matches on their home turf, the team has not lost by more than one goal. Meanwhile, Dynamo has not won with a handicap (-1.5) in 19 of the last 21 away matches in the Champions League, as well as in the last five away games in European competitions.
Considering all this, my prediction: Hamrun to win with a handicap (+1.5)
