Verdict: Draw.
Best odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: William Hill
Ukraine host Serbia at the Arena Lviv on Friday evening as the two nations compete in group B to appear in next year’s European Championship.
Ukraine
The home side have been on a very good run. They won seven of their last 13 games, losing just once in that time frame. They’ve accumulated four points in the opening two games – both away, at Portugal and Luxemburg, and they find themselves, unexpectedly perhaps, topping the group. A win now would take them a long way on the road towards the desired destination.
Team News
With West Ham winger Andriy Yarmolenko back from injury, coach Andriy Shevchenko should have the full selection of players at his disposal.
Serbia
Ukraine are, however, facing a tough task. The team that’s coming their way is by no means a pushover. They are a good blend of youth, talent and experience, and like Ukraine, they will need all the points they can get if they are to achieve their goal of qualifying for the tournament held across the continent in 2020.
Serbia sit in fourth place with a single point to their name, having sat out the first round and surprisingly drawing in Portugal in the second.
Team News
Head coach Mladen Krstajić will have a few problems to solve regarding the availability of his players, particularly in midfield. Sergej Milinković-Savić of Lazio and Nemanja Matić of Manchester United are both unavailable through injury.
However, the presence of Europan sensations in winger Dušan Tadić of Ajax and and striker Luka Jović who is set to join Real Madrid, would be enough to trouble any opposition.
Conclusion
This should be one of those games where history doesn’t mean anything, and despite Ukraine winning all four encounters between the two sides so far, a share of the spoils feels the like the likeliest outcome.
Verdict: Draw.
Best odds: 2/1
Bookmaker: William Hill
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
