England v Ukraine: Match Preview, Team News & Predictions
England are set to play hosts to Ukraine at Wembley stadium on March 26th, as they aim to build on their winning start at the UEFA Euros 2024 qualifiers.
The Three Lions pipped Italy 2-1 away from home in their opening Group C match-up, courtesy of goals from Declan Rice and record-breaker Harry Kane in either half. Mateo Retegui’s 56th minute halved the deficit but that turned out to be the only shot on target Italy would go on to register on the evening.
It’s fair to say that a squad brimming with young players who have filled the back pages while starring for their clubs, and a manager who just recorded his 50th win as England’s bench boss in Gareth Southgate, Kane and co. are widely favoured to top their group at the European championships.
Ukraine will have revenge on their minds following a 4-0 drubbing at Euro 2020. They’ve never beaten England away from home in any of their previous four attempts. Three of those matches resulted in disappointment for the Ukrainian side.
This would be the best opportunity for England to end a run of three matches without a win at Wembley, heading into the game as overwhelming favourites.
Team News
England
Luke Shaw’s 80th minute red card against Italy means he’s suspended for this outing, and to have a fully fit Ben Chilwell waiting for his opportunity is an absolute luxury for Southgate.
Jude Bellingham hobbled off in the previous game, causing concern for management. However, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is in line to deputize.
The likes of James Maddison, Kieran Trippier, Phil Foden and the newest addition – Ivan Toney – are pushing for starts.
Ukraine
Former Borussia Dortmund and West Ham winger Andriy Yarmolenko will be a game time decision to a hamstring pull.
Defenders Illya Zabarnyi and Yukhym Konoplya pulled out of training and are presumably going to miss out.
Predicted XI
England probable line-up (4-3-3): Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Henderson, Rice, Gallagher; Saka, Kane, Foden
Ukraine probable line-up (4-3-3): Lunin; Karavayev, Matviyenko, Popov, Mykolenko; Malinovskyi, Stepanenko, Zinchenko; Tsygankov, Dovbyk, Mudryk
Match Prediction
A raft of changes is expected and that could work in Southgate’s favour, with the likes of Reece James and Phil Foden fresh off their tracks having warmed the benches against Italy. England should brush Ukraine aside in the first half itself, owing to their consistency in achieving bright starts in matches.
Even if the Blue and Yellow block the attacking forays, England are front runners with the depth they possess.
Predicted score: England 3-0 Ukraine
-Akarshak Roy
Twitter: @RoyAkarshak
Photo: SPC Joshua Leonard. This file is a work of a U.S. Army soldier or employee, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain in the United States.