Slovakia vs Ukraine Predictions & Match Preview

Slovakia vs Ukraine Prediction

Slovakia stunned Belgium 1-0 in their Group E opener to take a commanding position in the standings ahead of the second-round clash with Ukraine.

The two teams meet each other on Friday afternoon at Dusseldorf Arena. Can Ukraine bounce back from their inaugural loss to Romania?

• Slovakia head into this on the back of three subsequent clean-sheet wins.
• Ukraine have lost two of their previous three matches across competitions.
• The teams have two wins apiece in the last five head-to-head meetings.
• Three of Slovakia’s last five games ended with fewer than three goals scored.

Slovakia produced a brave performance against Group E favourites Belgium on Monday. They handed the Red Devils their maiden defeat in 16 matches under manager Domenico Tedesco.

Ivan Schranz was the Slovakian hero as head coach Francesco Calzona can be thrilled with the strong defensive showing from his men in the first-round bout.

The same can’t be said for Serhiy Rebrov and his Ukraine. They looked toothless in the final third in a tough 0-3 defeat at the hands of Romania on Monday, one of the biggest shocks of the tournament so far.

Slovakia vs Ukraine Predicted Lineups and Team News

Slovakia Team News

As for the Slovakians, Francesco Calzona does not have any reasons to mix up his starting lineup as there are no fresh injury news after the first match.

Slovakia Predicted Line-up (4-3-3 Formation)

Dubravka – Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko – Kucka, Lobotka, Duda – Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin

Ukraine Team News

Ukraine looked dreadful on the opening day but we can hardly expect Rebrov to make many changes to his starting XI on Friday.

The Ukrainian first team is fairly set in their standard 4-2-3-1 formation with Heorhii Sudakov just behind striker Artem Dovbyk up front.

Ukraine Predicted Line-up (4-5-1 Formation)

Lunin – Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matviienko, Zinchenko – Stepanenko, Shaparenko, Tygankov, Sudakov, Mudryk – Dovbyk

Slovakian defense to keep hold of the Ukrainians

Slovakia pulled off a fabulous defensive showing against the toughest opponent in Group E on the opening day.

The 1-0 win over Belgium marked their third straight clean sheet, following successes in friendlies against San Marino and Wales earlier this month.

Head coach Calzona has clearly found the right formula and Slovakians will be a very tough nut to crack for the out-of-form Ukraine on Friday.

Ukraine possess plenty of quality all over the pitch but their main stars are miles away from their best form at the moment.

They’ve won just one of the last four games across competitions. Rebrov’s troops shipped three goals in two of the last three outings.

Also, Ukraine have won just two of the previous five head-to-head meetings with Slovakia. We see the value in backing Slovakia to win or draw double chance at the 1.70 odds.

Under is the way to go

Slovakia have kept three consecutive clean sheets going into this tie. Three of their last five games finished with fewer than three goals scored.

Ukraine did not do much to hurt Romanian keeper four days ago. Three of the previous five H2H encounters between Slovakia and Romania ended with fewer than three goals.

Knowing the importance of this game, we have to shoot for the Under 2.5 goals pick at the 1.66 odds.

Steffen Schmidt- June 18, 2024

Slovakia vs Ukraine Betting Tips

Slovakia to win or draw

OK

1.70 Odds

Under 2.5 goals

OK

1.68 Odds

Correct Score: Draw 1-1

OK

6.50 Odds