International Football News, National Soccer Teams, Previews International football in bite-size piecesRelated Articles
Kick off: 12 October @19:45 CET
Venue: NSK Olimpijs’kyj (Kiev, Ukraine)
Head to head record
Spain vs Ukraine 1-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Spain vs Ukraine 4-0 (2006 World Cup)
Spain vs Ukraine 2-1 (Euro 2004 qualifier)
Ukraine vs Spain 2-2 (Euro 2004 qualifier)
Ukraine
Last 5 matches
Georgia vs Ukraine 1-2 (International friendly)
Ukraine vs Luxembourg 3-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Ukraine vs Belarus 3-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Slovakia vs Ukraine 0-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
FYR Macedonia vs Ukraine 0-2 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News
Yevhen Khacheridi (37/3) and Sergey Sydorchuk (7/2) are both suspended for the crucial Euro 2021 qualifier against Spain having picked up their third yellow cards of the campaign in the 2-0 win over FYR Macedonia.
Oleksandr Kucher (46/2) and Denys Garmash (21/2) are expected to take their places in the starting line-up, with the latter having recovered after missing the first October qualifier through injury.
Important midfielder Taras Stepanenko (23/1) will also be recalled to the starting line-up after the coach didn’t want to risk having another one of his midfielders receive the third yellow card and automatic suspension.
Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Pyatov – Fedetskiy, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk – Rotan, Stepanenko, Garmash – Yarmolenko, Kravets, Konoplyanka.
A special price of 11/2 is available on Spain to win and both teams to score.
Spain
Last 5 matches
Spain vs Costa Rica 2-1 (International friendly)
Belarus vs Spain 0-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Spain vs Slovakia 2-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
FYR Macedonia vs Spain 0-1 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Spain vs Luxembourg 4-0 (Euro 2021 qualifier)
Team News
Sergio Ramos (130/10), Daniel Carvajal (5/0) and Andres Iniesta (106/13) all miss out through injury, whereas Chelsea star Diego Costa (9/1) has been overlooked.
David Silva (94/23) and Alvaro Morata (6/1) are out of the Ukraine qualifier after suffering injuries in the 4-0 triumph over Luxembourg that saw La Furia Roja book their place at the tournament finals.
Spain national team coach Vicente Del Bosque is widely expected to make wholesale changes to his starting line-up, meaning that Mario Gaspar and Xabi Etxeita should earn their maiden caps.
Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): De Gea – Mario, Nacho, Etxeita, Azpilicueta – Thiago, San Jose, Isco – Mata, Alcacer, Nolito.
Interesting Facts
*Ukraine will qualify for Euro 2021 as the best third-placed side if they defeat under-strength Spain. Bear in mind that home win is 3.00 (2/1).
*The reverse fixture produced plenty of goalscoring chances at both ends. Both teams to score pays 2.20 (6/5).
*In-form forward Nolito set-up one goal on his return to the national team, while netting 5 times in last 6 games for Celta. Nolito to score anytime is 5.10 (41/10).
