Ukraine vs Spain Prediction and Preview – 12/10/15
Euro 2016 preview – Ukraine vs Spain prediction
Ukraine have two players missing through suspension, having picked up yellow cards in their previous match against Macedonia. Therefore, Yevhen Khacheridi and Sergey Sydorchuk will be unavailable to Mikhail Fomenko and could be replaced in the team by Oleksandr Kucher and Denys Garmash.
Suggestions are, that having already qualified for Euro 2016, Spain manager Vicente Del Bosque will pick a number of fringe players in his line-up for this match. With David Silva and Alvaro Morata also out through injury, there could be a couple of players making their debut for Spain in this one.
Possible Line-ups
Ukraine: 4-3-3 formation: Pyatov; Fedetskiy, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk; Rotan, Stepanenko, Garmash; Yarmolenko, Kravets, Konoplyanka
Spain: 4-3-3 formation: De Gea; Mario, Nacho, Etxeita, Azpilicueta; Thiago, San Jose, Isco; Mata, Alcacer, Nolito
Statistics
- Ukraine have won 6, drawn 3 and lost 1 of their last 10 matches
- Spain have won 8 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Ukraine have scored an average of 1.5 goals and conceded an average of 0.4 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Spain have scored an average of 1.8 goals and conceded an average of 0.4 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Ukraine’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Spain’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Ukraine start this match level on points with Slovakia, after the latter suffered defeat to Belarus on Friday evening. However, Slovakia remain in-front of Ukraine due to having the better head-to-head record and therefore Ukraine need to better their result, in order to automatically qualify. It’s a tough ask, attempting to beat Spain but given the fact Slovakia only have a trip to Luxembourg to contend with and it seems unlikely Ukraine will progress, even if they pull out a great result.
That being said, if Ukraine do manage to defeat Spain, they have a great chance of progressing automatically as the best third placed team, so there is all to play for here.
Ukraine have a great defensive record in Group C and have tasted defeat in just 1 of their last 16 home matches. They and the crowd, will believe they have what it takes to over-turn a Spanish team who have already progressed and gain automatic promotion themselves. Despite having qualified, Spain can not be underestimated and have lost just 1 of their last 12 away European Championship qualifying games and have not conceded a goal in their last 3 away matches.
Both teams have records which suggest they have what it takes to come out on top here but Ukraine’s need is much the greater and that may tell in the result.
Tips
Under 2.5 goals at 8/15 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Ukraine or Draw at 11/20 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Ukraine win by 1 goal at 7/2 – Click here to bet with Bet365
What are your predictions?
Click here to see more Euro 2016 previews, predictions and tips