Ukraine vs Portugal will be the most interesting game of Gropu B in UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification, which will be held at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, in Kyiv. Two strong group leaders will fight for the important 3 points. Only a few games left in this qualification, so teams, especially Ukraine should make everything to take at least 1 point in this clash. Read our thoughts about this thrilling Ukraine vs Portugal UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification match in Kyiv, here below.
Ukraine
FIFA Rating – 25
At the moment Ukraine confidently standing at 1st place in UEFA Euro 2020 Qualification Group B with 16 points after 6 games. They scored 13 and conceded only 1 goal surprisingly not against Portugal or Serbia, but from Luxembourg. Yellow Blues drew only won games with Portugal in Lisabon and won all other games. Andriy Shevchenko built a very strong and confident team with abilities to confront and compete even such a squad as Serbia or Portugal. Previously, they took 1st place in UEFA Nations League B and were qualified to League C, where will face best European teams.
On Friday, Ukraine had great training playing against Lithuania. They were able to check several new tactics, movements and players playing against Group outsiders. There were no doubts about taking 3 points, so Shevchenko motivated before this game with great chances to be among qualifiers after this game. Still left 3 games for Serbia, however, they will obviously not beat great Ukraine’s goal difference. Playing against Portugal, we see Ukraine using their abilities to defend in full range. This should be the main target during this game, to stay strong in defence and counter-attack when it is possible.
Predicted Ukraine line-up
Head Coach
Andriy Shevchenko;
Squad
Goalkeepers
Andriy Pyatov;
Defenders
Oleksandr Karavayev, Serhii Kryvtsov, Ihor Plastun, Eduard Sobol;
Midfielders
Yevhen Konoplyanka, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Taras Stepanenko, Andriy Yarmolenko;
Strikers
Roman Yaremchuk;
Portugal
FIFA Rating – 5
Portugal is unbeaten since World Cup 2018 in Russia playing against Uruguay. After that, they become champions of UEFA Nations League as they won firstly in the group overtaking Italy and Poland. After, Portugal won against Switzerland in Semi-final and took a hard win over the Netherlands becoming first champions of this competition.
Euro 2020 Qualification started with 2 draws against Serbia and Ukraine. However, they won all other games, and now after 5 matches standing at 2nd place with 11 points. Ukraine stands at 1st with 5 points difference. So for Portugal, this is a very important game to strengthening their chances to qualify to the main draw of EUro 2020. Knowing how strong and motivated can be Serbia, it would be better to have some extra points and stand in front. Portugal is very great and dangerous in attack since this line is built by strongest players of Europe, however, defence struggling often.
We are expecting to see the Pepe together with Jose Fonte as centre defenders. Two veterans can be very confident, but sometimes creating troubles to their own team. In front Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix and Bernard Silva should be dangerous as always. In the centre, Fernando Santos should try to give us more surprises, as there are more rotational players than in other positions.
Predicted Portugal line-up
Head Coach
Fernando Santos;
Squad
Goalkeepers
Rui Patrício;
Defenders
Nélson Semedo, Pepe, José Fonte, Raphaël Guerreiro;
Midfielders
João Moutinho, João Mário, André Gomes;
Strikers
Cristiano Ronaldo, João Félix, Bernardo Silva;
Ukraine vs Portugal H2H
During the first game which was in Lisabon teams finished the game without scored goals. Portuga was more dangerous at home and created a much more dangerous moment, but Ukraine stood strong in defence and saved the important point playing against Grou favourite.
Article image is taken from https://www.unian.info