Euro 2020: Portugal Aim to Close the Gap in Ulkraine

Ukraine vs Portugal

The chase is on in Group B of the Euro 2020 qualifiers, and Portugal have a chance to peg back leaders Ukraine in a top two clash at the Kiev Olympic Stadium on Monday.

Fernando Santos’ Portugal squad is packed with quality and flair, and having won the inaugural Nations League in the midst of this qualifying campaign, his players have a taste for glory. They visit Ukraine, top of the group on 16 points from five games, and five ahead of Portugal.

This match could go a long way towards deciding the group.

The hosts are 20 places below their visitors in the World FIFA Rankings, but their 25^th position is a little at odds with their performance so far in this tournament. They are a nation on the up, and Ukraine legend Andriy Shevchenko, now head coach, has moulded them into a tough outfit with an attacking sting.

Euro 2020 betting odds have Portugal placed as one of eight or nine teams with a genuine chance of winning the tournament in 2020. They would make history as the first team to win back-to-back European Championships while holding the Nations League. But they can’t look too far ahead. Beating Ukraine will be a big enough challenge for now.

Talking Points

Ukraine’s Strong Defence

Shevchenko’s team has one of the most impressive set of Euro 2020 results, with five wins and a draw, scoring 13 goals and conceding just one. Captained by goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov his defence is superbly marshalled.

Tough centre back Sergiy Kryvstov plies his trade with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukrainian Premier League, and alongside his 23 year old club partner Mykola Matvyenko he forms a solid rearguard.

Only little Luxembourg have managed to breach the Ukraine defence when Shevchenko’s man escaped with three points thanks to a 93^rd minute winner. But since that game, back in March, they have been far more convincing.

Premier League fans will recognise two flair players in the Ukraine starting eleven. West Ham’s wide man Andriy Yarmolenko has settled nicely in East London as the Hammers have made a strong start to the new campaign. And Oleksandr Zinchenko’s reputation in the Premier League is growing as he establishes himself as a wing back at Manchester City.

Ukraine are 5 points ahead of Portugal in Euro 2020 Group B table — Ruslan Malinovskiy celebrates after scoring a brace against Lithuania

Meanwhile, up front, Atalanta striker Ruslan Malinovskiy is in fine form, scoring a brace against Lithuania on Friday to take his campaign tally to three.

Ukraine are in a good place and will have no fear of their highly rated opponents.

Portugal’s Galacticos

If they did have any fear they may as well hand over the points now, because Portugal has an attacking front three as good as any in Europe.

Cristiano Ronaldo has bagged six goals already in this competition and he shows no sign of slowing down, driven by his own, and his club Juventus’ ambition to dominate Europe once again. His goal in the 3-0 victory over Luxembourg in Friday was his 699^th for club and country in a record breaking career.

CR700 could well arrive on Monday!

And what a signing Atletico Madrid made in Joao Felix, the 19 year old has already shown he can score at the highest level after breaking through at Benfica last season. Then there is Bernardo Silva, the most improved player at Manchester City as the Sky Blues stormed to the league title last season. He’s emerged from his role as a supporting attacking midfielder to one of City’s main men.

The Wolves duo of goalkeeper Rui Patricio and playmaker Joao Moutinho are both in excellent form, having beaten English champions City 0-2 just before the international break, and are coping well with the rigours of Europa League football. Moutinho’s ability to pick a pass could easily reap dividends for Portugal’s front three.

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History

Portugal are the kings of Europe as holders of the European Championship as well as the first ever UEFA Nations League, so for Ukraine to be five points clear is some achievement.

You can argue that the 0-0 draw in Portugal at the beginning of this campaign, though Ukraine’s only dropped points, could well be their best result so far.

They are a hard team to beat, without a loss in eight games and with just one loss in two years, and they have a home record of three wins on the bounce.

But then Portugal are unbeaten in 11 games away from home and are on a winning streak of five.

Betting Tip

	Ukraine vs Portugal	Draw 1×2 @ 3.40
	October 15, 02:45 (GMT+8)

What a game we have in store! This is a clash between two teams bang in form. At 3.20 to win Ukraine will fancy themselves, even though Portugal is marginally odds on at 1.95 to win. I think we’ll see a ding dong battle with honours shared, and that will suit Ukraine nicely.

The hosts have a strong defensive record, but with so much attacking flair on show, a bet on Over 2.50 goals, at 2.07 with SBOBET is a tempting alternative.