Italy
vs
Ukraine
Kick-off
18:45 GMT
10 October 2018
The international break returns this week and one of the opening fixtures sees Ukraine make the trip across Europe to face Italy in Genoa. Both sides have Nations League fixtures next week so the intensity in this one might be significantly lower.
Ukraine won’t want to look at their record against Italy in the seven previous meetings between the two nations. Italy have won six and drawn one of those games with a 2-0 victory in the most recent match thanks to goals from Guiseppe Rossi and Alessandro Matri. The two nations met three times in 2006 with one fixture in the World Cup, one friendly and one in European Championship qualifying, Ukraine’s only draw came in the friendly.
Kevin Lasagna is the big addition to the Italy squad for the two matches while there’s no place for Mario Balotelli even with Simone Zaza’s injury. Sebastian Giovinco also returns for the Azzurri. It’s important that they get a confidence-boosting win ahead of the game next week.
Latest matches: Italy
10.09.2018 | UEFA | Portugal | Italy | 1:0 | L |
07.09.2018 | UEFA | Italy | Poland | 1:1 | D |
04.06.2018 | Inte | Italy | Netherlands | 1:1 | D |
01.06.2018 | Inte | France | Italy | 3:1 | L |
28.05.2018 | Inte | Italy | Saudi Arabia | 2:1 | W |
There are no shocks in the Ukraine squad with their biggest names all being announced by Andriy Shevchenko. With six points in the bag already, two wins over the next 10 days would be brilliant.
Latest matches: Ukraine
09.09.2018 | UEFA | Ukraine | Slovakia | 1:0 | W |
06.09.2018 | UEFA | Czech Republic | Ukraine | 1:2 | W |
03.06.2018 | Inte | Ukraine | Albania | 4:1 | W |
31.05.2018 | Inte | Morocco | Ukraine | 0:0 | D |
27.03.2018 | Inte | Japan | Ukraine | 1:2 | W |
With home advantage, it’s hard to see past an Italy win on Wednesday night but with their recent struggles and Ukraine’s good international form, it won’t be plain sailing. Backing Italy to win seems a relatively safe but backing both teams to score looks even better with Ukraine’s decent record in front of goal.
10 October 2018 - 18:45 GMT
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