Ukraine vs Belgium: Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips

Both sides are in need of a win to guarantee their passage through to the knockout stages, but we expect Belgium to be the ones to prevail after their much improved showing in game two against Romania. It should be a tight affair, with both teams on the scoresheet. Ukraine have yet to keep a clean sheet in the tournament and will have a tough task in keeping the talented Belgium attack out.

Romelu Lukaku has been extremely unlucky thus far, seeing three goals disallowed in two games. However, we back him to finally get off the mark in the tournament with at least one goal. Behind him, Kevin De Bruyne has already scored once, so he will likely get more opportunities. In his last four games for Belgium, he has registered seven shots on target, so expect this trend to continue – Ukraine 1-2 Belgium

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Ukraine take on Belgium in what is a crucial final group stage game, with a win for either side enough to take them through to the knockout stages.

Date: 26/06/24

Kick-off time: 17:00

Venue: MHPArena

Group E is now wide open with all three teams on three points following Belgium and Ukraine wins on matchday two. Belgium got off to a disastrous start as they were defeated 1-0 by Slovakia in their opener, leaving them bottom of the table. However, they responded in excellent fashion with a 2-0 win over Romania. They came out like a team who had something to prove and took a second minute lead, one they would not relinquish as they secured a huge three points.

This meant they joined every other team in the group with one win from two following Ukraine’s come from behind 2-1 victory against Slovakia. They also got back on track following opening day defeat, in which they were shocked 3-0 by Romania. Three points for either would guarantee them a place in the Round of 16, whilst a point would leave them sweating on the result of the other game between Romania and Slovakia.

Belgium were flat in their first game, but showed their quality last time out in the win. Particularly Kevin De Bruyne, who opened his account in the tournament by scoring the second goal to put the game to bed. The country’s record goalscorer Romelu Lukaku will be desperate to get off the mark after seeing three goals disallowed across the first two fixtures. The Ukraine defence have conceded four goals in two games, so the striker should be confident in getting opportunities. At the back Belgium have been strong, allowing just one goal in their last four, though that was an important one which led to their opening game defeat.

If Ukraine are to threaten their backline, it will likely come through the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk, whose blistering pace could cause some issues. He will support frontman Artem Dovbyk, who has yet to score in the competition, but is coming off the back of an excellent season for Girona in which he netted 24 times.

This will be the first ever meeting between Belgium and Ukraine in any setting. Ukraine have competed in three different European Championships, with this summer being their fourth in a row. They have made it out of the group stages just once, and this was in Euro 2020, though they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by England, losing 4-0. Belgium are playing in their seventh tournament, their best finish was third place in 1972. They have reached the quarter-finals in the last two Euros, before being knocked out by Wales and Italy.

Ukraine vs Belgium will be available to watch on BBC One.

Ukraine

Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was dropped to the bench after his struggles in the opening game, so expect his replacement Anatolii Trubin to retain his place in the lineup. Ukraine have no injury concerns.

Belgium

Dodi Lukebakio came in for Leandro Trossard in the last game, but after picking up his second yellow card, he will be suspended for the game against Ukraine. As a result, expect Trossard to return to the starting lineup. Belgium should have a full team to select from otherwise.

Ukraine

In their last five games, Ukraine have won two, lost two and drawn one. It was a decent stretch for Ukraine heading into the tournament, but they opened up the Euros in disastrous fashion with a 3-0 loss against Romania. Nicolae Stanciu opened the scoring on half an hour with a stunning finish into the top left hand corner from long range. Razvan Marin doubled the lead with another strike from outside the box, with the ball eluding goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. Denis Dragus scored a third moments later to put the game to bed. Their second game of the competition was much more positive, as they beat Slovakia 2-1. They had to come from behind to secure the important win after Ivan Schranz opened the scoring. Second half goals from Mykola Shaparenko and Roman Yaremchuk turned it around.

Their preparations for the competition ended with a dominant 4-0 win away from home at Moldova. Roman Yaremchuk gave them a second minute lead before Viktor Tsygankov doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time. Artem Dovbyk made it three shortly after the restart, and Georgiy Sudakov completed the scoring.

It was a good response to a 3-1 defeat to Poland in the game prior. Poland raced into a three-goal lead before half an hour, with strikes from Sebastian Walukiewicz, Piotr Zielinski and Taras Romanczuk putting them ahead. Dovbyk pulled one back before half-time, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation. This followed the first game of this run, a goalless draw at Germany, in which the hosts dominated with 27 attempts, but the Ukraine defence held firm. They only managed three shots on target themselves, with neither side able to find a breakthrough.

Belgium

In their last five games, Belgium have won three, drawn one and lost one. It had been an inconsistent stretch for Belgium heading into the tournament, though they ended their preparations with two wins in a row. However, they were unable to continue that momentum as they were defeated 1-0 by Slovakia in their group opener. The only goal of the game came early on, as Ivan Schranz and his side capitalised on an error by Jeremy Doku to go ahead. Belgium had two goals disallowed for offside and a handball on what was a very frustrating afternoon. They were able to get back on track in the second game, as they won 2-0 against Romania. Youri Tielemans opened the scoring on two minutes, before Kevin De Bruyne doubled the lead and put the game to bed late on.

They ended their preparations for the Euros with consecutive wins, the latest being a 3-0 victory over Luxembourg. It was complete domination, with their opponents mustering just one attempt and none on target. Belgium enjoyed 72% of the ball and 27 shots and broke the deadlock just before half-time through a Romelu Lukaku penalty. The striker added his and his side’s second shortly into the second half, before Leandro Trossard added a third late on to put the game to bed. This followed a 2-0 victory against Montenegro, in which they scored late in each half to secure the win. It was De Bruyne who opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, and Trossard converted a penalty in second half stoppage time.

A friendly against England at Wembley preceded this in what was the first game of this run, and it was honours even as the game finished 2-2. Tielemans netted after 11 minutes to put the visitors a goal up, though this was cancelled out by an Ivan Toney penalty shortly after. Tielemans restored the lead before the break, but England pegged them back once more at the death through Jude Bellingham.

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