Oleksandr Shovkovskyi leads "Dynamo" Kyiv into their Ukrainian Premier League opener against "Veres" Rivne this Saturday, navigating a challenging schedule between European fixtures. The match at Avangard Stadium kicks off at 15:30 local time with Oleksii Derevinskyi appointed as the main referee.
"Veres" has been busy strengthening their squad during the transfer window. The Rivne side added several foreign players including Tsypot, Wolli, and Stamulis, alongside promising Ukrainian talents. Ndukwe has particularly impressed, finishing as the team's top scorer during pre-season preparations.
"We're still in the process of building a cohesive team, but I'm optimistic about our prospects," Oleh Shandruk, Veres head coach, reportedly told his players ahead of this significant season opener.
For the hosts, this match represents more than just the start of a new campaign—it's an opportunity to make a statement against the reigning champions.
Meanwhile, "Dynamo" already has two official matches under their belt this season. The Kyiv side comfortably dispatched Maltese club Hamrun in Champions League qualification, winning both legs with identical 3-0 scorelines. Though the opposition wasn't particularly challenging, these games helped Shovkovskyi's men find their rhythm.
The champions haven't undergone radical squad changes. Andriy Yarmolenko remains with the team, while Yatsyk and Supriaha have returned. The club has been carefully integrating young players alongside their proven performers who formed the core of last season's title-winning side.
Interestingly, "Dynamo" has established their base in Lviv to minimize travel time and better adapt to their demanding schedule. This match against "Veres" is sandwiched between crucial European fixtures, with Paphos awaiting in the third qualifying round of the Champions League next week. Will Shovkovskyi risk rotating his squad? Probably not—a winning start in the domestic league remains equally important for the Kyiv outfit.
Bookmakers clearly favor the visitors, offering odds of 1.46 on a "Dynamo" victory compared to 7.80 for "Veres" and 4.40 for a draw.
Both teams have submitted their expected lineups, with Vitalii Horokh likely to start in goal for the hosts behind a defense featuring their new signing Stamulis. "Dynamo" is expected to field a strong eleven with Ruslan Neshcheret between the posts and Vanaт leading the attack, supported by Yarmolenko and Buialskyi.
Can the hosts pull off an upset, or will the champions continue their winning momentum? Saturday's clash promises to deliver plenty of action as the new UPL season gets underway.
