Prediction: Ukraine vs Iceland

Verdict: Ukraine win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Two camps who are looking to punch their respective EURO 24 ticket on Tuesday night, Ukraine will meet Iceland at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw.

Ukraine

Starting with Ukraine, although they might have been left hugely frustrated on November 20th as they were forced to settle for a controversial 0-0 stalemate against Italy, Serhiy Rebrov’s men have continued to gain a string of plaudits. With only their goal difference stopping them from securing an automatic route out of Group C, the Yellows do find the mood in their camp at a continued high. Mounting a stunning late comeback away at Bosnia & Herzegovina as they clinched a 2-1 victory, the former Al-Ahli boss has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their previous eight qualifying appearances – a run that stems back to a 2-0 loss against England 12 months ago. Gaining a reputation for their rugged approach and causing some of Europe’s elite some real headaches, Ukraine should be smelling a real opportunity here.

Team News

Returning to training after missing out away at Bosnia & Herzegovina last week, Ukraine are hopeful that Girnoa ace Viktor Tsyhankov can play some part on Tuesday night. Set to feature at the heart of Rebrov’s midfield here, Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko will earn a 60th international cap here and lead Ukraine out in Wroclaw.

Continuing to shine with Girona this season and notching 14 La Liga goals, attacking talisman Artem Dovbyk will spearhead Rebrov’s charge in midweek. Appearing to have turned a recent corner with Chelsea, Mykhailo Mudryk will feature on Tuesday night.

Iceland

As for Iceland, although the Blues might have faced a tricky test when they met Israel for their semi-final showdown last week, Age Hareide’s men put in a famous performance. Eventually storming their way to a 4-1 romp in Budapest, the former Denmark boss will be desperate to spring another iconic upset here. However, enduring a real EURO 24 qualifying struggle last year and finishing 12 points adrift of securing a stunning top-two finish in Group J, Iceland have continued to gain a reputation for their glaring inconstancies. Despite claiming a 2-0 victory when they last met Ukraine back in September 2017 while in World Cup qualifying action, Hareide will have a headache over his side’s defensive issues. Including a 4-2 loss against Slovakia on November 16th, Iceland have recorded just a pair of clean sheets over the past 12 months.

Team News

In what is a double blow for Iceland on Tuesday night, Hareide will be unable to call upon both Arnor Ingvi Traustason or Blackburn star Arnor Sigurdsson. However, the Blues are hopeful that midfield talisman Johann Berg Gudmundsson will be able to play some part in Wroclaw.

Bagging a stunning hat-trick away at Iceland last week and continuing to attract plenty of European interest ahead of the summer transfer window, Genoa striker Albert Gudmundsson will spearhead Iceland’s charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Tuesday’s opponents last met back in September 2017 while in World Cup qualifying action, Iceland picked up a 2-0 victory.
• Ukraine have lost just one of their previous eight competitive appearances.
• Likewise, the Yellows have lost just a pair of their previous 19 qualifying showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to October 2015.
• Iceland have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous five qualifying appearances.
• All of the four historic meetings between Ukraine and Iceland have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Iceland might have put in a stellar performance last week as they stormed their way to a 4-1 romp against Iceland, the Blues should be bracing themselves for a stern challenge here. With Ukraine now losing just one of their previous eight qualifying showdowns, Rebrov’s men have continued to receive a string of plaudits. Despite controversially falling short in their Group C adventure last year, we are backing Ukraine to punch their EURO 24 ticket in midweek.

Verdict: Ukraine win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Dachbet