Prediction: Spain U21 vs Ukraine U21

Verdict: Spain U21 win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Two high-flying squads who are simply looking to wrap up top spot in Group B, Spain and Ukraine will meet at the Superbet Arena in Bucharest on Tuesday night.

Spain U21

Starting with Spain, watching their senior squad lift a maiden Nations League crown earlier in the month, La Rojita are desperate to write their own piece of history. Despite suffering European Championship semi-final heartbreak two years ago, Santi Denia’s side have only continued on a real romp over recent times. Along with opening their Group B adventure with a stellar 3-0 romp against Romania on June 21st, the Reds have secured back-to-back victories and the mood in their young squad should be at a red-hot high. Breezing their way to the knockout stage with time to spare, it is no secret that Spain are tipped as one of the standout contenders this summer. In fact, on a run that stems all the way back to their semi-final defeat at the hands of Portugal back in June 2021, Denia’s side have since lost just one of their previous 18 straight appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Bagging the winner against Croatia over the weekend and notching eight domestic strikes with Braga last season, Abel Ruiz should once again spearhead Spain’s attack on Tuesday night.

Despite only making a handful of Premier League appearances for Manchester City last season, Sergio Gomez could once again be deployed in a more attacking role here. Continuing to shine at the heart of Denia’s midfield this month, Alex Baena should be joined by Alaves’ Antonio Blanco.

Ukraine U21

As for Ukraine, while Ruslan Rotan’s men might have marked their return to the European Championship stage tipped as a real underdog to find a route out of Group B, the Yellows have already enjoyed a real fairytale summer. Opening their adventure with a famous display on June 21st as they clinched a 2-0 victory against Croatia, the former Oleksandriya boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Likewise, last seen over the weekend picking up a 1-0 win against Romania, Ukraine have already punched their knockout stage ticket for the first time since way back in 2006. In fact, aside from a 3-1 friendly defeat at the hands of Italy earlier in the year, it should be highlighted that is the only loss that Rotan’s side have suffered from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back over the past nine months.

Team News

Coming off the bench and shown a second-half red card against Romania a few days ago, Ukraine will be without the suspended Vladyslav Vanat when they travel to Bucharest on Tuesday night.

Finding the net against Croatia on June 21st and now notching two goals in his previous three international appearances across all competitions, 22-year-old Danylo Sikan will spearhead Rotan’s attack here. Shakhtar Donetsk shot-stopper Anatolii Trubin will once again start between the sticks in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met on European Championship duties back in 2011, Spain picked up a 3-0 victory.
• Likewise, La Rojita have lost just one of their previous 18 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to June 2021.
• Both Spain and Ukraine have already secured their knockout stage ticket after collecting back-to-back Group B victories.
• Neither side have also shipped a single European Championship strike so far this summer.
• Spain have also recorded a clean sheet in five of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.

Conclusion

While Ukraine might have shocked almost everyone across Europe this summer as they breezed their way to a first knockout stage ticket since 2006, Rotan’s high-flying squad will know that they face a stern test here. Watching Spain only continue to shine on the European stage, it is no secret that La Rojita are tipped as a standout contender this summer. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their last 18 straight appearances – a run that stems all the way back to June 2021 – they will also be excited by their most recent meeting against Tuesday’s opponents. Securing a thumping 3-0 win when the two sides last met back in 2011, we are expecting a similar Spain victory in Bucharest.

Verdict: Spain U21 win

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet