If Dynamo Kiev are to continue their Europa League adventure beyond the end of April, then they will have to halt a run of four meetings without a win over quarter-final opponents Fiorentina.
Kiev, the conquerors of Premier League side Everton in the last round, will be confident of continuing their impressive season following a strong run of recent form, but they have been dealt a tough hand.
Dynamo Kiev
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Dynamo may have struggled in their past meetings with Fiorentina, and that record improves little against Italian clubs as a whole, but they will head into Thursday night's game feeling confident thanks to some positive results of late.
The two-time winners of the European Cup Winners' Cup are currently top of their domestic league, sitting five points clear at the summit following a run of just one defeat in their last 11 outings.
Throw into the mix the fact that eight of the games in that aforementioned stretch of fixtures were victories, and you get the feeling that Serhiy Rebrov's men are hitting top form at just the right time ahead of a crucial few weeks.
While the Kiev-based team have drawn two of their last three home games domestically speaking, they have an impressive record when it comes to staging European games at the NSC Olimpiyskiy this season, winning all five of their games on their own turf by at least a two-goal margin.
Dynamo, who have yet to draw a single match in the competition, proved too much for Everton in the last round with a scintillating second-leg display, and if they are to overcome Fiorentina in the final eight then a performance of equal sorts will be needed in Kiev.
Recent form in Europa League: WWLWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWWD
Fiorentina
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Two defeats on the spin in Serie A over the past week have seen La Viola slip off the pace in qualifying for next season's Champions League, and they are now left looking over their shoulders in the hope of salvaging a spot in Europe's secondary competition.
Of course, there is one other route into the elite event - win the Europa League this season and secure an automatic qualification berth via the back door. The Italian club will certainly fancy their chances, particularly after going 11 games without defeat away from home on the continent.
One stat in particular stands Fiorentina in good stead - the fact that they have never lost a quarter-final tie in this tournament. They have never lifted the trophy in its current guise, however, last going all the way back in 1990 when it was still known as the UEFA Cup.
A slip of form in Italy, where they have won just two of their last five games, means that switching attention to football elsewhere will provide a welcome distraction. Vincenzo Montella's men have lost just one of their 10 games so far, and having eased past Serie A rivals Roma in the last round, things have now opened up nicely for the Lillies.
Montella is keen to see a response from his players following their 3-0 reverse at Napoli last time out, but motivation should not be an issue with a place in the final four of the competitions up for grabs.
Recent form in Europa League: WWLWLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDWWD
Team News
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Dynamo boast the record of being the competition's highest scorers so far, bagging 22 goals in their 10 games, although Andriy Yarmolenko tops the goals tally with, in the context of things, a rather paltry four.
The Ukrainian international remains a key player for his side, and he is likely to start the game, as too is goalkeeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy, who has made more appearances on the European stage than any other player still remaining in the competition.
Betao could be called upon by Rebrov at the back, and if he is selected it will be a special occasion for the defender - his 50th appearance in UEFA competitions.
Fiorentina have one Ukrainian player among their ranks, 27-year-old Oleksandr Yakovenko, although he is unavailable, having been shipped out on loan to ADO Den Haag.
Elsewhere, experienced Viola midfielder David Pizarro has been nursing a thigh strain, but he is expected to start the crucial first-leg clash.
Dynamo Kiev possible starting lineup:
Shovkovskiy; Danilo Silva, Khacheridi, Dragovic, Vida; Rybalka, Belhanda, Garmash, Yarmolenko, Lens; Mbokani.
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
Neto; Richards, Basanta, G Rodriguez, Alonso; Borja Valero, Pizarro, Badelj; Ilicic, Salah, Gomez.
Head To Head
Dynamo have failed to beat Fiorentina in any of their four previous meetings, legendary forward Roberto Baggio scoring in the 1989-90 UEFA Cup group-stage tie in the year the Italian club went all the way to the final, only to lose to great rivals Juventus.
Furthermore, Fiorentina have yet to lose in eight fixtures against sides from the Eastern European country, with five wins and three draws during that run.
Dynamo, on the other hand, have won twice in 18 encounters with Italian clubs, both of which came against Roma in the 2004-05 Champions League group stage.
We say: Dynamo Kiev 2-1 Fiorentina
If Dynamo are to get the better of Montella's side, then they really should be targeting victory on home soil. The Ukrainian Premier League leaders have brushed aside all before them at the NSC Olimpiyskiy in the Europa League this term, and that will continue this week as they run out 2-1 winners.
Daniel Lewis
