Dynamo Kiev - Borussia Monchengladbach Betting Preview: Gladbach's need to attack should mean goals

29/08/2012 6:30:00 PM

The visitors may have a mountain to climb but Adam Bate expects the 3-1 deficit from the first leg to make for a free-flowing clash in Kiev

Borussia Monchengladbach were the surprise package of last season’s Bundesliga and worked so hard to secure a Champions League spot.

Marco Reus left the club to return to Borussia Dortmund in the summer but Luuk de Jong arrived for a significant fee and ambitions were high.

All was going well in the first leg against Dynamo Kiev in front of their own fans when Alexander Ring gave Gladbach an early lead but the home side soon slumped to a 3-1 defeat that leaves them facing an uphill task in Kiev.

They’ll need to score at least three to get through so expect Gladbach to go for it here. They’re 16/5 (4.20) underdogs with Paddy Power to win this one.

But while Gladbach are an impressive side, the feeling persists that they were just punished by a better-prepared outfit.

The Bundesliga may be the stronger domestic competition but Dynamo have more European experience and are well into their new season already.

Dynamo Kiev are 5/6 (1.83) with Paddy Power to win on the night, while a draw that would also see them qualify is available at 5/2 (3.50).

It’s the fact that the Ukrainian side don’t need to win – coupled with the knowledge that they have a crucial league game against Shakhtar Donetsk at the weekend - that makes betting on the win market a difficult one.

A better option is to expect goals at both ends here. Gladbach have the tools to find a way through and will be set up to score. But Dynamo will back themselves to pick the German side off.

The pick of the bets is to back both teams to score at 5/6 (1.83) with Paddy Power.

For the value bet it is worth exploring the goalscorer markets. Kiev’s Nigerian forward Brown Ideye is the favourite to open the scoring at 9/2 (5.50) but expect Gladbach to start strongly here.

That could open the way for De Jong to make amends for his own goal in the first leg of this tie. The Dutch forward is an industry-best price of 15/2 (8.50) to net first in this one. Whether it’s enough to send Gladbach on their way to a dramatic turnaround is another matter.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Both teams to score at 5/6 (1.83) with Paddy Power

De Jong first scorer at 15/2 (8.50) with Paddy Power

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Adam Bate is a professional freelance journalist who specialises in football and betting. He is editor of GhostGoal which can be found here - you can also follow Adam on

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