Ukraine vs North Macedonia – Euro 2020 Betting Tips

Ukraine are taking on North Macedonia at the National Arena in Bucharest, Romania on the 17th of June 2021 at 18:30 IST. Both teams have a loss behind them coming into this game and only a win here would mean business for either side, another defeat could put their chances in the doldrums.

Ukraine Form and Team News

Ukraine in the first game against the mighty Netherlands were able to produce a good performance even though they ended up on the losing side. They were trailing by two goals at a point and brought the game back to a stalemate in the 79th minute with an equalizer and could’ve also won it from there if not for a late winner from Dumfries. In the EURO qualification rounds, Ukraine were part of Group B with the likes of Portugal, Serbia, Luxembourg and Lithuania too in the mix. Ukraine finished as the number one team in the group with 20 points from eight games played. They won six games while losing not losing any games in the process. They also drew two games in the campaign. 

Andriy Shevchenko, the Ukraine national football team coach has been so far spot on with his defensive game where the team have defended brilliantly, but this has also in a sense affected the team as well, they have not been able to score many goals in the process as well. Andriy would need to rectify that aspect of the game as well which could prove vital in this tournament and they did that to a certain extent in the last game against the Netherlands. Captain Yarmolenko and Yaremchuk netted goals for their side. Zinchonko was brilliant in the flanks, while the likes of Mykolenko and Zabarnyi did not have a good game. 

North Macedonia Form and Team News

 North Macedonia were completely outplayed by the Austrians in their opening game of the tournament. They went on to lose the game three goals to one margin which have put their quest for a playoff spot in bother, they are now required to win both of their last two games to have any chance. North Macedonia finished third in their group in the Euro qualifiers. The team then defeated Kosovo 2-1 before defeating Georgia 1-0. Also, they managed to defeat the mighty Germans in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers recently. North Macedonia is currently ranked at 38th position in the UEFA rankings and would want to improve upon the same. With good players back in their squad, North Macedonia will look for an upset. 

No player is reported injured or suspended. North Macedonia captain Goran Pandev will be leading the side against Ukraine. Gjanni Alioski and Goran Pandev of Leeds United have been named in North Macedonia’s Euro 2020 team. North Macedonia’s most capped player and all-time leading scorer, Pandev, scored the game-winning goal to send the team to its first major tournament in 27 years. Igor Angelovski is expected to name a strong eleven.

Odds by Casumo

Ukraine are the favorites to win according to the Casumo Sportsbook. They are placed at 1.65 odds while North Macedonia is placed at 6.10. The odds for a draw is 3.55.

Check out our Euro2020 Odds Here

 

Our Tipster’s Angle

North Macedonia are playing this championship after a very long time and are looking rusty for that reason while Ukraine even though they lost against the Dutch away, showed good fighting spirit through the game and were also able to score two goals. So given the context of both team’s performance in the opening game, Ukraine looks favorites to dethrone the Macedonian challenge in the next game.

Tip 1: Total Goals over 2.5

Both of their last two matches that Ukraine have played across competitions have had the total goals to be over 2.5. While playing at home, Ukraine have had their last game where the total goals have been over 2.5. In the case of North Macedonia, in their last six matches played, they have had the total goals to be over 2.5 in four matches of those. Playing away across competitions, all of their last three matches also had the total goals to be over 2.5. In the Qualification rounds, North Macedonia have had two of the last four total matches where the above condition was satisfied. Out of their last four qualification matches, Ukraine had three matches where the total goals were over 2.5. So it’s quite likely the match will have over 2.5 goals. According to the Casumo Sportsbook, the odds for the total goals to be over 2.5 is 2.14.

Tip 2: Both teams to score

In the last seven matches played by Ukraine across competitions, five of those have had both teams score. While playing at home, three of the last five matches Ukraine have played across competitions have had both teams scoring. In the qualification rounds, North Macedonia had four of the last seven matches where both teams have scored. Three of the last four matches they have been part of across competitions have had the above condition being satisfied. Playing away, all of their last three games have seen North Macedonia was part of both teams scoring scenarios. Out of their last four qualification matches, Ukraine had three matches where the above condition was satisfied, so it’s most likely both teams might end up scoring. The odds for Both Teams to score according to the Casumo Sportsbook is 2.02.

Conclusion

Both teams are coming off losses in their respective opening games and a win here is would keep them in contention for a playoff spot, while a loss would probably mean curtains for either team. Summarising on a couple of bets from above:

1. Total goals over 2.5 @ 2.14
2. Both teams to score @ 2.02

Check out our Euro2020 Odds Here