Ukraine vs England: Match preview for Euro 2024 qualifier

The Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, serves as the venue for the upcoming clash between Ukraine and England as the top two in Group C go head-to-head in their Euro 2024 qualifier.

Overview

Ukraine finds itself in the second spot in the Group C table, trailing England by a significant six-point margin. The English team boasts an impressive 100% win record in their four matches so far. However, Ukraine has a game in hand, and if they hope to close the gap, they must accomplish the seemingly impossible – defeating Gareth Southgate’s formidable side. England has conceded just one goal throughout the qualifiers, making the task even more daunting.

Ukraine’s resilience shines through as they’ve navigated the challenges of playing home games in Poland due to conflicts with Russia. Despite an initial setback with a 2-0 loss to England in their opening game, Ukraine has rebounded with wins against North Macedonia and Malta.

England, on the other hand, enjoys the top spot in Group C with a perfect record, securing 12 points from four convincing victories. Their wins include a nail-biting 2-1 triumph over Italy away from home, a comprehensive 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia, and a solid 4-0 victory against Malta. Gareth Southgate’s side has also kept clean sheets in three of these four wins.

This four-match winning streak has reinvigorated England after their quarter-final exit in the World Cup at the hands of France. The Three Lions appear poised to sail through to the European Championship finals in Germany next year without a hitch. Their remarkable record in European qualifiers, with only one defeat in their last 30 matches, reinforces their status as a formidable force. They have notched an impressive 26 wins during this period.

England fans are expected to travel to Poland in their thousands to watch this game as the Three Lions have one of the most passionate away support in the world. Tickets are still available on Seatsnet but supporters are urged to buy seats in the away end and not within the home fans to avoid any possible conflicts. England supporters have a reputation for getting into trouble at times so police and security are keen to avoid any flare-ups within the stadium on Saturday evening.

Key Players Analysis

England:

The English team showcases an array of talent, with new heroes emerging alongside seasoned veterans.

Harry Kane: England’s all-time leading goalscorer is enjoying the best form of his career, with 58 international goals to his name. Despite nearing his 30th birthday, Kane shows no signs of slowing down.

Bukayo Saka: Saka has just come off the back of an excellent season with Arsenal where he played a key role in helping the Gunners challenge for the Premier League title. The youngster has become one of Europe’s best wingers and has made his mark at international level. He scored a stunning hat-trick against North Macedonia and was recently named as England’s player of the year.

Marcus Rashford: Rashford’s redemption story during the 2022-23 season was heartwarming. He bounced back from a challenging year to score 30 goals for Manchester United and clinch his second Carabao Cup winners’ medal.

Ukraine:

Ukraine also possesses a wealth of talent, including some key players to watch out for.

Mykhailo Mudryk: Chelsea’s £89 million acquisition, Mykhailo Mudryk, will have the chance to shine in his first national team appearance since his Premier League move. This match provides an opportunity for him to demonstrate his capabilities.

Oleksandr Zinchenko: A versatile player who can excel as a left-back, left midfielder, or central midfielder, Zinchenko is known for his technical skills, precise passing, and tireless work rate.

Taras Stepanenko: As an experienced midfielder, Stepanenko serves as Ukraine’s midfield anchor. His physicality and ability to win tackles and interceptions make him a pivotal player. Stepanenko’s outstanding performance earned him a place in the UEFA Team of the Tournament.

Team News

Ukraine:

The Ukrainian camp is facing some significant challenges on the eve of their clash with England. The team’s captain and offensive powerhouse, Andriy Yarmolenko, recently battled a knee injury, causing him to miss the last two club games. Although he’s with the team, his availability for the England match hangs in the balance.

Another blow for Ukraine is the absence of Ruslan Malinovsky, one of their standout midfielders. He’s been left out of the national team after not featuring for Marseille this season and securing a loan move to Genoa. Malinovsky, while keen to represent his country, admits he’s not yet at 100% readiness.

Adding to the challenges, left full-back Vitaliy Mykolenko shared his thoughts with the media ahead of the England showdown. He acknowledged that England boasts a squad with superior talent and that Ukraine has struggled against them in recent encounters. Nevertheless, Mykolenko emphasized their commitment to preparing as thoroughly as possible.

England:

In the England camp, manager Southgate has made some intriguing decisions. Notable omissions from the squad include Raheem Sterling and James Ward-Prowse, while the experienced Jordan Henderson, currently plying his trade with Al-Ettifaq, has earned a spot, albeit unlikely to start despite a recent 90-minute performance in a 3-1 victory against Damac.

England faces injury concerns, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jack Grealish forced to drop out. Meanwhile, Callum Wilson, Levi Colwill, and Bukayo Saka, recently crowned England’s Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season, have been in training but are not believed to be nursing severe injuries, offering Southgate some potential options.

The central defense remains a key question mark, with John Stones sidelined and Harry Maguire, typically a first-choice for Southgate, experiencing limited playing time at Manchester United.

Tactical Match Analysis

In the tactical realm, England carries a wealth of attacking talent, buoyed by their recent victory over Italy. Expectations are high for England to assert their dominance once more, seeking a comfortable win against Ukraine.

Ukraine, on the other hand, aims to fortify their defense against the formidable English side. Their strategy revolves around utilizing speed in attack to create problems in the final third through counter-attacks. The defense’s priority will be to mark the red-hot Harry Kane out of the game, knowing that keeping him in check is crucial.

Prediction

As the stage is set for this clash, England enters the fray with a surge of confidence following their triumph over Italy. However, it’s worth noting that Ukraine has managed to hold the Three Lions to draws twice in their last five encounters. Despite Ukraine’s resilience, England’s confidence and superior squad should ultimately guide them to victory. Our prediction: England to emerge victorious, 3-1. The stage is set for a thrilling contest.