Ukraine will have to make up for the opening-game loss against Slovakia, the team that made the biggest upset so far in the tournament. The game will take place at the Merkur Spiel Arena in Düsseldorf on Friday, June 21st. Going into the tournament, Ukraine was seen as the favorite in this game, but based on what we saw in the opening matchday, anything is possible.
Slovakia vs Ukraine: Initial situation
Going into the tournament, Slovakia was seen as the underdog in Group E, but after they defeated the top favorite Belgium in the opening round, they have basically secured a spot in the elimination phase. Unlike them, Ukraine was blown out in the opener against Romania and has a lot to make up.
Slovakia Stats & Form
Slovakia is considered a team at the top level of European football, but if we take a peek at their stats, they actually look really good. No one gave them a real chance in the opening game against Belgium, but Ivan Schranz scored in the seventh minute of the game, and Slovakia managed to keep the lead until the final whistle. The win over Belgium is their seventh in the last ten games, and they have one draw and two losses. Slovakia has not allowed a single goal in the last three games, as they defeated Wales and San Marino by 4-0 in the last two friendly games going to the EURO. In five of their last ten games, Slovakia scored at least three goals.
Ukraine Stats & Form
Ukraine came into the tournament pretty happy with the draw, but after the first matchday, things did not look very promising. Ukraine lost 3-0 against Romania in the opener and are now with their backs against the wall going into the next game. That was only their second loss in the last ten games, as they have six wins and two draws. That was only the second time in the last 15 games that Ukraine did not score a goal.
Slovakia vs Ukraine: Head to Head
Slovakia and Ukraine have played eight times before. Ukraine won three times, Slovakia twice, while the other three games finished in a tie. It’s been six years since the last time these two teams met. In the League of Nations in 2018, Ukraine won 1-0 at home, while Slovakia was way more efficient at home, winning 4-1. In five of those eight games, both teams scored.
Slovakia vs Ukraine Odds
Ukraine is a slight favorite going into this game with 110 odds going in their favor while the odds for Slovakia’s win are at 260. The odds for a draw are 230.
The total goals margin is set at 2.5 with 110 for over and -140 for under.
Betting tip and prediction: Slovakia vs Ukraine (21.06.2024)
Ukraine came into the tournament as one of the two favorites in Group E, but after the first matchday, Ukraine is in real trouble. They started well in the game against Romania before the Romanians scored after half an hour of play. That was not a big deal at halftime, but soon after the teams came back on the pitch, the Romanians scored two more goals, and the game was over.
Now Ukraine will have to go for a win against Slovakia before facing Belgium on the last matchday, and the Red Devils are also with their backs against the wall after Slovakia’s impressive victory.
No one really gave Slovakia any chance, not just against Belgium but in the group in general. They came out in the opener against Belgium determined to prove everyone wrong, and they definitely did that.
Slovakia has no reason to go aggressive in this game since they will make a huge step forward in the next round, even with a point. Ukraine, on the other hand, will have to win this game and attack from the first minute.
That will bring a high pace to the game, and we expect both teams to score.