Ukraine vs Italy Prediction & Betting Tips - Euro

Prediction published on 20/11/2023, 06:40  by Steve Ashfield in Euro Predictions

Second placed Italy need only to avoid at Ukraine (who are third) to automatically qualify for the Euro 2024. The defending champions can't catch the Group C leaders England but are ahead of Ukraine on head-to-head results. They are already confirmed a place in the play-offs thanks to their Nations League results. No doubt the Italians will want to avoid going into play-offs with poor recent memories of their elimination at that stage in the 2022 World Cup. Italy's most recent game was a 5-2 home victory over North Macedonia on Friday, their fouth win in this group. Two games have been lost, both of them to England. Italy beat Ukraine 2-1 at home in the reverse fixture so a draw in this game would see them automatically qualify for next year's finals in Germany. They have won three of their last four internationals, the other an away loss to England. That's their only defeat in the last six games played. In Euro qualifiers, Italy had gone 22 away games before their loss at Wembley in October.

Ukraine have had the disadvantage of having to play their home fixtures on neutral territory. This game against Italy is being played in Slovakia, their second 'home' game played in the country with others in Poland and the Czech Republic. To their credit, this hasn't affected them a great deal. Of three 'home' games played, two have been won with the other a 1-1 draw with England. It's their away form which has damaged their qualification hopes. While they won in North Macedonia and Malta, they suffered losses in England and Italy. Their most recent group game saw them come from behind to win 3-1 in Malta. The Blue and Yellow have to finish in the top two to qualify but it's going to be tough against an in-form Italy. We back both teams to score in this vital match.