Serhiy Rebrov’s Ukraine play host to heavyweights England at Tarczynski Arena, Wroclaw on Saturday in Group C Euro 2024 qualifying action.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine sit in second in Group C for Euro 2024 qualification and defeated Malta 1-0 last time out
- England sit atop the standings having won all four of their opening matches, including an emphatic 7-0 home victory against North Macedonia in their last outing
- The away side are undefeated across their last five successive meetings with Ukraine
Ukraine are having to play this match in Poland due to the ongoing invasion by Russia. They haven’t played on home soil since November 2021. In a crucial match towards qualification, the Three Lions will be looking to make it five wins from five as they bid to reach Germany.
Ukraine Form
The home side failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after they finished in second in Group D qualification. They went into the playoffs but couldn’t defeat Wales to reach Qatar last winter. Nevertheless, they had a fairly successful Nations League campaign last year, losing just one of their six matches. However, they only managed a second-placed finish.
The Blue and Yellow have lost just one of their last seven matches across all competitions and will certainly be no pushovers here. They are currently on a three-match unbeaten run and recorded an impressive 3-3 draw away to Germany in a friendly back in June. They also defeated North Macedonia and Malta to earn six points from a possible nine to start their Euro 2024 qualification.
England Form
After suffering disappointment in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup at the hands of finalists France, England have won all four matches that they have played in since. The Three Lions have only featured in Euro qualifiers since Qatar but have won all four.
Gareth Southgate’s men sit top of Group C as a result and have scored a mammoth 15 goals, conceding just one in the process. That includes an impressive 2-1 win against Italy in Naples. England have kept three consecutive clean sheets since then en route to defeating Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia.
Head-to-Head
History would indicate a win for England too and they are undefeated across their last five meetings with Ukraine. The Three Lions recorded a comfortable 2-0 win in the reverse fixture at Wembley Stadium back in March, whilst they put the Blue and Yellow to the sword when they met at the Euro 2020 quarter-finals in a 4-0 triumph. Ukraine’s last victory over England came in a 1-0 win back in 2009 in Dnipro.
Team News
Mykhailo Mudryk has recovered in time after injury and could feature for Rebrov’s side here. However, the experienced Ruslan Malinovskyi, Yevhen Konoplyanka and Viktor Kovalenko have all failed to make the squad. Dynamo Kyiv’s Mykola Shaparenko has withdrawn from the squad due to injury, whilst legendary goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov has retired.
As for England, they saw Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish withdraw from the squad due to injury earlier this week. John Stones, Reece James, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are also unavailable due to injury. The likes of James Ward-Prowse, Raheem Sterling and Ben White have all been overlooked by Southgate.
Key Players
Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko has recently recovered from a calf issue to make the squad and he will be influential for Ukraine in the midfield. Captain Andriy Yarmolenko will be hoping to find his 46th international goal and is just three goals away from overtaking Andriy Shevchenko as Ukraine’s top goalscorer.
Forward and captain Harry Kane will be looking to add to his five-goal tally during qualification thus far and should start up top. He has scored in his last six consecutive outings for the Three Lions. Bukayo Saka will also be a threat and he scored a hat-trick against North Macedonia in England’s last game.
How to watch on TV or Online
England and Ukraine fans across the UK will be able to watch the match live on Channel 4.
Final Thoughts
It won’t be easy for England and Ukraine should put up a stern fight. However, the talent at Southgate’s disposal across the board speaks volumes. The Three Lions are expected to make it five wins from five to essentially secure their spot in Germany in 2024.