Ukraine vs Spain
Look at the SBOTOP UEFA Nations League betting odds for this fixture and you will not hesitate to back Spain.
After all, Ukraine have never beaten Spain before, losing five of their six clashes, and only last month were thrashed 4-0 in Madrid.
On Saturday night, Ukraine’s ten-match unbeaten home run ended with a 2-1 loss to Germany.
At the same time, Spain – who are unbeaten in 14 games (won 11, drawn three) – edged out Switzerland by a solitary goal.
So, all the Nations League highlights in Kiev will be for Spain to enjoy presumably?
Talking Points
Well, probably although it’s not quite as straightforward as that.
For a start, Ukraine – who kicked off Group A4 with a 2-1 success against Switzerland in Lviv before their heavy Spanish reverse – know defeat will end their hopes of top spot so will have a real incentive to win, and avenge that 4-0 defeat at the same time.
Meanwhile, Spain, who are two points clear of Germany and kicked off with a 1-1 away draw in Germany, produced a rather more edgy display on Saturday night.
La Roja were the superior side to the Swiss during the majority of the contest and were good value for the three points but are far from the free-flowing side their fans have become accustomed to over the last 15 years or so.
Hope for Ukraine perhaps?
On a more positive note for the visitors, one of the players to most impress during that encounter was substitute Adama Traore and the Wolves winger may be given a starting berth by manager Luis Enrique.
He is expected to shuffle his pack from the side that started against Switzerland, with Dani Ceballos and Gerard Moreno also among those who could come into the XI.
The back five could remain unchanged, meaning that Sergi Roberto and Sergio Reguilon are again on the bench, but Ceballos has a chance of featuring alongside Mikel Merino and Sergio Busquets in midfield.
With the coronavirus infecting members of the Napoli squad, Fabian Ruiz has been ruled out of this fixture. New Liverpool recruit Thiago is yet to complete his recovery from the virus and Dani Carvajal is injured.
Ukraine are encountering far deeper difficulties selection wise, unable to call upon some of their star names. Goalkeepers Andriy Pyatov, Andriy Lunin and Yuriy Pankiv have all tested positive for coronavirus, leaving Heorhiy Buschchan as the sole goalkeeping option.
The Yellow and Blues are generally far from full strength after the outbreak which has also left Taras Stepanenko unavailable to travel, while Mykola Matviyenko and Junior Moraes were forced to withdraw after the rest of the Shakhtar Donetsk squad was placed into isolation.
Evidence of their struggles was highlighted by a 7-1 defeat to France in an international friendly last week.
The bigger picture is more positive as Ukraine actually finished ahead of European champions Portugal in their Euro 2020 qualifying section, remaining unbeaten across eight matches, collecting an impressive 20 points in the process.
Given their current circumstances though, the reality is they will likely use this Nations League to prepare for next summer’s tournament.
With all that in mind, I just have to back Spain.
History
The nations have met six times since the Ukraine nation was formed in international football in the early 1990s.
The first meeting was actually a 2-2 draw, in 2003, when they met in a Euro 2004 qualifier.
They led through Andrej Voronin before two late goals from Raul and Joseba Etexberria seemed to have earned Spain the win only for Olexander Horshkov to net a last minute leveller.
A Raul double earned Spain victory in the return fixture, although Ukraine’s most famous footballing son, Andriy Shevchenko pulled one back.
Indeed, the current coach is the last Ukrainian to strike against the Spanish.
Spain have won all four meetings since then too, including in the Nations League last month when Sergio Ramos (two), Ansu Fati and new Manchester City signing Ferran Torres were the marksmen.
Betting Tip
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Ukraine vs Spain | Spain First Half Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 1.89 |
| October 14, 02:45 (GMT+8) |
Spain 1X2 @ 1.40 or Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 1.91 seem safe-ish bets, while backing Ukraine 1X2 @ 7.80 or Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 2.01 is pretty brave.
So is Double Chance Ukraine or Draw @ 2.75. or backing Ukraine to top the group at a staggering @ 41.00, compared to Spain @ 1.45.
A 1X2 draw @ 4.20 could be a worthwhile punt but I simply cannot see past a Spanish win, especially since the hosts have been hit by Covid.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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