Prediction: Ukraine vs England

Verdict: England win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Simply looking to lay down another qualifying statement on Saturday evening, England will travel out to Wroclaw when they meet Ukraine.

Ukraine

Starting with Ukraine, while the Yellows might have suffered Nations League frustration last year as they eventually missed out on the chance to secure a League B promotion, Serhiy Rebrov’s men have their sights set on springing a real upset this time around. Mounting what was a stunning second-half comeback away at North Macedonia back on June 16th as they eventually claimed an action-packed 3-2 victory, the former Al-Ahil boss has seen his squad muster six points from their opening three qualifying showdowns. However, knowing that they face a stern examination this weekend, Ukraine should be worried by a downbeat record against Saturday’s opponents. Hit with what was a routine 2-0 loss when they travelled to Wembley for their reverse qualifying showdown back on March 26th, they have managed to muster just a single victory from any of their nine historic meetings against the runaway Group C leaders.

Team News

While Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk might be in the midst of a Stamford Bridge nightmare since completing his £88million switch last year, the 22-year-old is expected to play some part on Saturday evening. Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko is set to earn a 54th international cap this weekend.

However, in what was a shock announcement the midfield duo of Ruslan Malinovskyi and Yevhen Konoplyanka have not been included in Rebrov’s squad.

England

As for England, while the Three Lions might have come under a fair amount of scrutiny over the winter as they crashed out at the World Cup quarter-finals following a 2-1 loss against France, Gareth Southgate’s side aren’t showing any signs of a hangover. Rightfully opening their European Championship qualifying adventure back in March tipped as a landslide contender to clinch top spot in Group C, the one-time Aston Villa defender will simply be calling on his squad to make another statement here. Opening their qualifying adventure earlier in the year with an eye-catching 2-1 victory against Italy, England have won each of their first four Group C appearances and they have certainly enjoyed quite the free-scoring flurry in the final third. Last seen signing off June’s international break with what was a routine 7-0 romp at home against North Macedonia, Southgate’s superstar squad have notched 15 strikes on their four-match qualifying winning run.

Team News

Along with being unable to call upon the likes of Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Reece James and John Stones, Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling was shockingly omitted from Southgate’s squad this month. Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has been called up to England’s senior squad for a first time and will be hoping to earn his first cap on Saturday evening.

While Harry Maguire might still not have started a single Premier League fixture so far this season, the Manchester United defender will start at the heart of Southgate’s defence here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met for their reverse qualifying showdown on March 26th, England picked up a 2-0 victory at Wembley.
• The Three Lions have lost just one of their nine historic showdowns against Saturday’s opponents.
• Likewise, Southgate’s men have shipped just a single strike in their previous six meetings against their Group C rivals.
• Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has bagged three strikes in his last two competitive showdowns against Ukraine.
• England have won each of their opening four Group C appearances by an aggregate score of 15-1.

Conclusion

While Ukraine might still have their sights firmly set on clinching a famous top-two ticket in Group C this year, they will be more than aware that they face a heavyweight challenge here. Watching England sign off June’s international break with a routine 7-0 romp at home against North Macedonia, the Three Lions have continued to shine during their qualifying romp. Winning each of their four Group C appearances by an aggregate score of 15-1, Southgate’s men will also be excited by a rampant record against Saturday’s opponents. Landing a 2-0 win when they welcomed Ukraine to Wembley for their reverse qualifying showdown on March 26th, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: England win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet