Euro 2024: Ukraine v Belgium - Match Preview & Odds
Here at betting.bet we’ll preview this key Group E fixture, providing the best match odds and free bet offers
Ukraine and Belgium go head-to-head in Stuttgart in a match that will go a long way to deciding the outcome of Group E of the European Championships. For the first time ever, all four nations head into the final group game level with three points apiece which means both Ukraine and Belgium know that a win will guarantee them a top two position and a place in the Euro 2024 knockout stage. Here at betting.bet we’ll preview this key Group E fixture, providing the best match odds and free bet offers from our partners at bet365.
Group E Recap
Both Belgium and Ukraine bounced back from shock defeats on the opening weekend to win their second game in Group E of Euro 2024. Ukraine suffered one of the heaviest defeats in the competition so far as they were swept aside 3-0 in their opening fixture. Hoping for an immediate response against Slovakia, head coach Sergiy Rebrov must’ve feared the worst when his side went 1-0 down just 17 minutes into their second game of the tournament. However, second-half goals from Mykola Shaparenko and Roman Yaremchuk turned the tie on its head and earned Ukraine a crucial 2-1 win.
Belgium suffered a shock 1-0 defeat against Slovakia in their opening game. Like the Ukraine game, Slovakia raced into an early 1-0 lead against Belgium but despite a barrage of attacks and two goals disallowed by VAR, Belgium could not find an equaliser and went down to an opening game defeat to underdogs Slovakia.
Belgium did bounce back in their second game as they netted early and late against Romania in Cologne to win 2-0. Youri Tielemens gave Belgium the lead in just the second minute whilst Player of the Match, Kevin de Bruyne settled the contest with an 80th minute strike.
Team News
Anatoily Trubin should continue in goal for Ukraine after replacing Andrij Lunin for the win over Slovakia. Lunin endured a disastrous opening game against Romania and was arguably at fault for two of their three goals. Trubin put in a far more assured display against Slovakia and will get the nod once more on Wednesday.
Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko was named in the match day squad against Slovakia and is in line for his first appearance at Euro 2024. Meanwhile, Roman Yaremchuk is pushing for a first start of the competition after coming off the bench to score the match winner against Slovakia on Friday evening.
Belgium will be without winger Dodi Lukebakio on Wednesday as the Sevilla winger serves a one-game suspension. Leandro Trossard could be in line to replace Lukebakio whilst Johan Bakayoko will also be considered.
Axel Witsel and Thomas Meunier both missed Belgium’s win over Romania and remain doubtful for Wednesday’s match. However, if either are fit they’re unlikely to dislodge replacements Arthur Theate and Youri Tielemens who put in solid performances against Romania.
Possible Line Ups
Ukraine: Trubin, Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko, Sudakov, Zinchenko, Shaparenko, Yarmolenk, Mudryk, Yaremchuk
Belgium: Casteels, Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate, Tielemans, Onana, Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard, Lukaku
Betting Tips
Belgium bounced back from their shock defeat to Slovakia in impressive fashion against Romania and we’re confident that Domenico Tedesco’s side will kick on against Ukraine. Belgium to win looks a solid bet at odds of 4/6.
A draw may not be enough to see Ukraine progress to the knockout stage so we’re expecting to see them go on the front foot from the beginning. Both teams to score looks excellent value at 8/11 whilst over 1.5 first half goals is worth real consideration at 13/8.
Romelu Lukaku has been arguably the unluckiest player at Euro 2024 with three disallowed goals in Belgium’s first two matches. Belgium’s record goalscorer has an astonishing scoring record at international level and surely his luck will improve sooner rather than later. Lukaku is priced at 6/5 to score at any time on Wednesday whilst he is 7/2 to score first.
Match Odds
| Ukraine | Draw | Belgium |
|---|---|---|
| 15/4 | 31/10 | 4/6 |
Predicted Match Result: Ukraine 1-3 Belgium (12/1)
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