Ukraine host England in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers on Saturday and they will look to pick up a win at home.
They were beaten by England in their first qualifier but they have picked up impressive victories against North Macedonia and Malta. Ukraine are heading into this game in second position in Group C and they have a formidable record at home.
The home side are unbeaten in their last seven matches on their own turf and they have conceded only once in their last four outings at home. Ukraine are no pushovers and England will have to be at their best in order to grind out all three points.
The Three Lions are currently on top of their group after wins over Italy, Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia. They have a phenomenal head-to-head record against Ukraine in recent years as well.
Gareth Southgate’s men will be the favourites heading into this game and it remains to be seen whether the players can step up and get the job done.
Two days to go 💪#ThreeLions | @NuffieldHealth pic.twitter.com/jr1O6m9xeY
— England (@England) September 7, 2023
Team News and Tactics
Ukraine
The home side do not have any notable injury concerns ahead of this game and they are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Andriy Lunin will start in goal for the hosts. Yukhym Konoplya and Vitaliy Mykolenko will be deployed as the fullbacks here for Ukraine. They will look to help out in the attack and protect the central defenders as well.
In the central defence, Sergii Krvytsov will start alongside Illia Zabarnyi.
In the midfield three, Taras Stepanenko will start as the defensive midfielder with Serhii Sydorchuk and Oleksandr Zinchenko on either side of him.
Vladyslav Vanat will lead the line for Ukraine with Viktor Tsygankov and Andriy Yarmolenko on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Lunin; Konoplya, Krvytsov, Zabarnyi, Mykolenko; Sydorchuk, Stepanenko, Zinchenko; Tsygankov, Vanat, Yarmolenko
England
The Three Lions will be without the services of Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Both players withdrew from the squad on Monday after picking up knocks with their respective clubs.
Luke Shaw remains a long-term absentee and John Stones is sidelined as well.
England are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation as well with Jordan Pickford in goal.
Kyle Walker and Ben Chilwell are likely to be deployed as the full-backs and the two players will look to help create goal-scoring opportunities alongside their defensive responsibilities. Marc Guehi could be handed a start alongside Harry Maguire here.
In the midfield three, Declan Rice will look to play the holding midfield role with Jordan Henderson helping him out defensively. Jude Bellingham is likely to start as well and he will look to add creativity and control to the side.
Harry Kane will lead the line for the Three Lions here with Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Guehi, Maguire, Chilwell; Henderson, Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Rashford
Key Stats
- England have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches against Ukraine in all competitions.
- England are undefeated in their last 5 matches against Ukraine in all competitions.
- England have scored at least 11 more goals (15) than any other team in Group C.
- Ukraine are unbeaten in their last seven home matches.
Harry Kane
Yes, skipper! © pic.twitter.com/KAzyDwsTGz
— England (@England) September 4, 2023
The 30-year-old England striker is one of the best players in the world and he has picked up 5 goals in his last 4 Euro outings with England. The striker has hit the ground running in the Bundesliga as well scoring 3 goals in 3 appearances.
Kane is a player in form and he has scored 10 goals in his last 10 matches across all competitions for club and country.
Ukraine have been vulnerable defensively in the qualifiers and England should be able to create goal-scoring opportunities. Harry Kane could make a defining impact for his side.
Prediction
Ukraine 0-2 England
England will be the firm favourites heading into the game and they should be able to pick up a victory here.
They have been in fine form throughout the qualifiers and this is likely to be another comfortable outing for them. England have too much firepower at their disposal for a vulnerable Ukraine defence to deal with.
A regular 2-0 win away from home is on the cards here.
