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Kick-off: 5 September @ 17:00 CET
Venue: L’viv Arena (L’viv, Ukraine)
Past meetings
Belarus v Ukraine 0-2 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Belarus v Ukraine 0-0 (2010 World Cup qualifier)
Ukraine v Belarus 1-0 (2010 World Cup qualifier)
Ukraine v Belarus 0-2 (International friendly)
Belarus v Ukraine 0-2 (2002 World Cup qualifier)
Ukraine
Last 5 matches:
Ukraine v Lithuania 0-0 (International friendly)
Spain v Ukraine 1-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Ukraine v Latvia 1-1 (International friendly)
Georgia v Ukraine 1-2 (International friendly)
Ukraine v Luxembourg 3-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
Shakhar Donetsk’s Viktor Kovalenko is the sole newcomer in Ukraine squad for Belarus and Luxembourg, with Oleksandr Gladkiy (9/1) initially omitted, but later added to the roster.
Roman Zozulya (22/3) and Yevhen Makarenko (3/0) missed out on the squad through injury, while midfielder Serhiy Sydorchuk has been ruled out of both qualifiers after suffering a muscle injury.
The most important thing is that star players Yevhen Konoplyanka (45/10) and Andriy Yarmolenko (49/19) are both fit to play and the hosts will rely on them to help them close the gap behind the top two sides in the group.
Players to watch: Yevhen Konoplyanka, Andriy Yarmolenko.
Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Pyatov – Fedetskiy, Khacheridi, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk – Rotan, Stepanenko, Garmash – Yarmolenko, Kravets, Konoplyanka.
Belarus
Last 5 matches:
Belarus v Mexico 3-2 (International friendly)
FYR Macedonia v Belarus 1-2 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Belarus v Gabon 0-0 (International friendly)
Russia v Belarus 4-2 (International friendly)
Belarus v Spain 0-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News:
Dinamo Minsk defender Roman Begunov is the only new face in the squad, but Sergei Krivets (31/4), Maksim Zhavnerchik (9/0) and Anton Putsila (49/6) miss out for various reasons.
BATE Borisov star Vitali Rodionov continues to be overlooked, but Rennan Bressan (18/3) is in line to make his first appearance under new coach Aleksandr Khatskevich.
Igor Shitov and Mikhail Sivakov have experienced some problems, but will be ready to play, while defenders Sergei Politevich (5/0) and Denis Polyakov (12/0) have been ruled out of both Euro 2021 qualifiers through injury.
Players to watch: Aleksandr Hleb, Sergei Kornilenko.
Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Zhevnov – Shitov, Martynovich, Filipenko, Bordachev – Kislyak, Maevski – Kalachev, Hleb, Volodko – Kornilenko.
Ukraine v Belarus betting odds & tips
*Having won the reverse fixture 2-0, Ukraine can be backed at 1.44 (4/9) to defeat Belarus again and improve their qualifying hopes.
*With the hosts likely to attack the opposition from the off, bear in mind that Ukraine are 2.20 (6/5) for a half-time/full-time win.
*Given that Belarus only scored once in four matches against top 3 sides, it is important to note that home win to nil pays 2.05 (21/20).
