Litex Lovech - Dynamo Kyiv

Litex Lovech welcome Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg of the teams’ play-off meeting in the Europa League. The game will be played at Lovech Stadium on Thursday and kicks off at 17:45 GMT. Litex have been struggling since the beginning of the season both in the Champions League where they were knocked out by Wisla Krakow and in the Bulgarian championship. Dynamo were also knocked out in the Third Round but I think the quality of their players is much higher.

Litex lost both their games against Wisla Krakow in the Third Qualifying Round of the Champions League (1:2 at home and 1:3 away) so they will be now looking to at least get into to the groups of the Europa League. However, the Oranges have been struggling since the start of the season in the Bulgarian A PFG as they won at home against Beroe (2:1) thanks to two late goals and drew away at outsiders Vidima Rakovski (1:1) thanks to a late penalty. Litex will be their suspended captain Neboisa Jelenkovic and this will add up to the woes of coach Luboslav Penev.

Dynamo Kyiv lost to Rubin Kazan twice in the Third Qualifying Round of the Champions League but now they look firm favourite for the place in the Europa League group stage. The Ukrainian giants started well their domestic championships recording four wins and two draws but they are still behind arch rivals Shakhtar Donetsk. Dynamo won their last two games against Karpaty and Arsenal Kyiv both by 2:0 and they will go out against Litex full of confidence despite the injury of their captain Andriy Shevchenko.

The Ukrainians are currently in better form at the moment and the quality of the attacking players they have should seal the tie in the first leg.