European soccer domestic leagues take a break this week for the Euro 2024 qualifiers. With a 100% record from their first four games, England are on the verge of making it to the finals, but this game against Ukraine represents their toughest task in Group C (12pm ET Saturday).
Ukraine are second in the group with six points from three matches and their only defeat in this section came in the reverse fixture at Wembley Stadium in March. Read on for our full matchup preview with predictions and betting picks.
England will go into this game as clear favorites, and the best odds on Gareth Southgate’s side currently stand at 9/20. The draw is next at 10/3, while victory for Ukraine is out at a top price of 7/1.
Part of the issue for the Ukrainians is the fact that they have to play their home games on neutral ground due to the conflict in their country. Wroclaw in Poland is the destination for Saturday’s tie, so this is effectively an away game for both teams.
Taking that factor into consideration, together with England’s superior record in the group, it is tough to see past the Three Lions here. Before we make that decision, let us switch to the side markets, starting with the players who can make the difference.
England’s Harry Kane has taken his prolific form into the Bundesliga, where he has already scored three goals for his new club, Bayern Munich. The Three Lions skipper is set to lead the attack and Kane is favorite in the first goalscorer market at best industry odds with the United States’ sportsbooks of 7/2. England players are dominant at the top of this market, and back up strikers Callum Wilson and Eddie Nketiah are next with both men available at 11/2. Marcus Rashford follows on at a top price of 13/2.
Ukraine are first represented by their skipper Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk, who are both quoted at 11/1.
In terms of potential value behind the main strikers, James Maddison’s early season form at Spurs could earn him a start on Saturday. He has scored two goals in four league games for his new club, and may be worth considering at best odds of 8/1.
Away from the players, our remaining side bets continue with Both Teams to Score which is quoted for Saturday’s game at 11/10. The ‘no’ option on BTTS carries the higher odds this time, and it is available at a top price of 31/40.
Next is Total Combined Goals where we will start with a stake Above the 2.5 goal line. This is listed at 3/4 with many bookmakers, while the figure for Over 3.5 goals climbs to 2/1. If you’re expecting a quiet 90 minutes in Poland, Under 2.5 goals could be the way to go at 19/20.
This preview and predictions article will round off this section with some options in the Correct Score market. The bookmakers are suggesting that this will be a comfortable evening for England, so a 3-1 scoreline in favor of Southgate’s men may be popular at best odds of 11/1. A 2-1 victory for Ukraine is on offer at a top price of 25/1, while the 1-1 draw can be backed at a best of 8/1.
Ukraine vs England Picks & Betting Predictions Verdict for this Preview
England should certainly win this game and all the indicators are in their favor. They top the group with a 100% record, and won the reverse fixture earlier in the year. Ukraine have a weaker squad and are effectively away from home as they prepare for another game on neutral ground.
If you are not excited by England’s odds, there are options within the side markets. It’s interesting to note that the bookmakers aren’t expecting an attacking threat from Ukraine. Both Teams to Score rarely heads above evens, and the odds have drifted during the week. Ukraine have only scored four goals in their opening three games in this section, but they did score three times away to North Macedonia, and there are some strong attackers in the squad.
This preview will start by taking the Both Teams to Score bet and add in James Maddison to score at any time as part of our tips. Based on his club form, there is a chance that the Spurs midfielder may start this game but, even if he is on the bench, Maddison looks a good bet for an anytime goal. He is confident, back to full fitness and the manager will surely want to give an in-form player a good run in an important match. So the betting picks, at best odds, are:
Matt Harris is a golf and soccer expert for USA Betting. His other area of specialist knowledge is cricket. He is well known in sports journalism and contributes articles to a plethora of big-name websites and media outlets. Titles that he writes or has written for include: Betfair, BetVictor, Unibet & Just Bookies.