Verdict: England win and less than four goals
Best odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Unibet
With a place in the semi-finals of this summer’s European Championships up for grabs on Saturday night, a high-flying England and Ukraine will face off at the Olympic Stadium.
Ukraine
Starting in Ukraine, while Andriy Shevchenko’s side may have found themselves a true outsider when they faced Sweden earlier in the week, the Yellows put on a captivating performance in Hampden. Booking first place in the quarter-finals since 2006 with what has been an extraordinary extra-time winner in extremis, the former AC Milan icon should find the atmosphere on his pitch to the fullest. With many believing they simply get a free kick when they go to the Olympic Stadium this weekend, Ukraine has truly recovered after what was an uninspiring run during its season in Group C. Scoring just three points and eventually Sneaking as one of the top third-placed nations, Shevchenko will no doubt call out West Ham ace Andriy Yarmolenko to lead their charge in Rome. Already finding the net against North Macedonia and the Netherlands this summer, the former Borussia Dortmund winger has scored or assisted five of Ukraine’s eight goals in the European Championship.
Team news
Winger Oleksandr Zubkov is set to lose, but Andriy Yarmolenko is in good shape despite being out against Sweden for one shot.
England
As for England, while the Three Lions may not have been able to find the best gear during their three Group D matches, Gareth Southgate’s side established what was a famous home scorer early in the season. week. Having secured their first knockout win against Germany’s historic rival since 1966, they have fully deserved the 2-0 win at Wembley and there is no doubt that the mood in their field will be skyrocketing. Watching the likes of France, Germany, Portugal and the Netherlands all start late from this summer’s European Championships, the Whites suddenly find themselves indicated as an exceptional choice to finally savor international success. Keeping another clean sheet on Tuesday night, Southgate will be justifiably thrilled by his team’s continued performances on the back. In fact, in addition to keeping a clean sheet in each of the last six matchups in all formats, the Three Lions are only the second team in the history of the European Championship to not concede a goal in any of the first four games of an edition of the tournament, after Germany in 2016.
Team news
Despite an impressive performance once again on Tuesday, Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is in doubt with what Southgate says is a “slight hit”.
Budding talisman Jack Grealish may be lined up to start just his second summer bout in the England bout.
Key factors to consider
- England are only the second team in European Championship history to not concede a goal in any of the first four matches of a tournament, after Germany in 2016.
- In fact, the Whites haven’t conceded a single goal in any of their last six matchups across all formats.
- Raheem Sterling has scored three of England’s four Euro 2020 goals so far, while only two players have ever scored more for England in a single tournament: Alan Shearer in 1996 (5) and Wayne Rooney in 2004 (4 ).
- Ukraine’s only previous quarter-final appearance in a major tournament resulted in a 3-0 defeat to Italy at the 2006 World Cup. Ukraine have won two of their last three European Championship games, more than the top seven in the competition (W1 L6).
- West Ham Ukrainian winger Andriy Yarmolenko has scored or assisted five of Ukraine’s eight European Championship goals.
Conclusion
While Ukraine may have managed to last-gasp win against Sweden earlier in the week, the Yellows will face a real test in Rome on Saturday night. By managing to make their way into the knockout stages as one of the top third, England know they have a golden opportunity to secure a place in the semi-finals. Arguably still spurred on by that stunning 2-0 win over former world champions Germany midweek, the Three Lions find the atmosphere in their court at the highest level. Gaining a true reputation for their continued success in defense and still the only team yet to pick up the ball from their net, we support Gareth Southgate’s side to extend their European adventure at the Olympic Stadium.
Verdict: England win and less than four goals
Best odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Unibet