England will take on Ukraine in the Euro 2024 qualifiers Group C match today at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Three Lions are leading the group with 15 points from five games, while Ukraine are second with nine points from four games. Both teams have a chance to secure their place in the finals with a win today.
England have been dominant in their qualifying campaign so far, scoring 15 goals and conceding only one. They have won all their matches, including a 2-0 victory over Ukraine at Wembley in March. Gareth Southgate’s side are also coming off a 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia in June, where Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick.
Ukraine, on the other hand, have bounced back from their defeat to England with two wins over North Macedonia and Malta. They have scored seven goals and conceded five in their four games. Sergiy Rebrov’s team are also boosted by the return of star winger Andriy Yarmolenko, who missed the last two matches due to injury.
The match will be played at a neutral venue
The match was originally scheduled to be played in Kiev, but due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, it was moved to a neutral venue in Poland. The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will host the game, which will kick off at 12:30 AM IST.
The change of venue could affect both teams, as they will have to adapt to a different environment and atmosphere. However, both managers have expressed their respect and solidarity for the people of Ukraine, and have urged their players to focus on the game.
The key players to watch out for
Both teams have some talented and experienced players who could make a difference in the game. Here are some of the key players to watch out for:
- Harry Kane: The England captain is the top scorer in the qualifiers with six goals. He has also scored four goals in his last two games for Tottenham Hotspur. He will be looking to continue his form and lead his team to another win.
- Andriy Yarmolenko: The Ukraine captain is the most capped player in his team with 111 appearances. He has also scored three goals in the qualifiers, including one against England. He will be hoping to inspire his team with his skill and creativity.
- Raheem Sterling: The England winger has been one of the best players in the qualifiers, scoring four goals and providing three assists. He has also been in fine form for Manchester City, scoring three goals in his last four games. He will be a threat to the Ukraine defence with his pace and dribbling.
- Oleksandr Zinchenko: The Ukraine midfielder has been one of the most consistent performers for his team, playing in various positions. He has scored one goal and provided two assists in the qualifiers. He has also been a regular starter for Manchester City, winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final last season. He will be a key player for Ukraine with his versatility and work rate.
The predicted lineups and formations
Both teams are expected to stick to their preferred formations and lineups, with some minor changes possible due to injuries or rotations. Here are the predicted lineups and formations for both teams:
Ukraine (4-3-3):
Georgi Bushchan (GK), Illia Zabarnyi, Serhii Kryvtsov, Mykola Matvienko, Oleksandr Karavaev, Mykola Shaparenko, Taras Stepanenko, Serhiy Sydorchuk, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Andriy Yarmolenko, Roman Yaremchuk
England (4-3-3):
Jordan Pickford (GK), Kyle Walker, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Jack Grealish
The prediction and odds
England are the clear favourites to win this game, as they have a superior record and quality over Ukraine. They have also won their last three meetings with Ukraine, scoring seven goals and conceding none. However, Ukraine are not to be underestimated, as they have shown resilience and determination in their previous games. They could pose some problems for England with their counter-attacking style and set-pieces.
The prediction for this game is a 3-1 win for England, as they have more firepower and confidence than Ukraine. The odds for this game are as follows:
- Ukraine win: 9/1
- Draw: 4/1
- England win: 1/3
