England v Ukraine – Betting Preview
England Summary
England comes into the game on a big positive after beating Italy in Naples for the first time since 1961.
On top of breaking their Italian duck, the fact captain Harry Kane broke the scoring record to secure the win will see them on a high.
The Kane scoring record will be celebrated before the kick-off and this will have the mood extremely positive.
Southgate opted for a 4-3-3 in Italy and England played more offensively than usual in the first half, and to great effect.
Some movement here is possible in each line. The only forced move is Luke Shaw’s ban opening a spot for Ben Chilwell.
The two left-backs were rated evenly going into the Euros, but the Chelsea man is perceived as the stronger attacker of the two. He fell to an injury before the tournament began, leaving Shaw as the number-one LB since.
Chilwell has missed most of this season but the Shaw suspension could open up a path for him to remind the English public he has the potential to be the better of the two.
In other possible unforced changes, Grealish may drop for Foden in the front three.
Dier and James are contesting spots with Stones and Walker respectively in the defence.
The only big absentee for England was that one of the most in-form attackers in Europe, as Rashford pulled out of the squad a few days before the game with Italy.
Ivan Toney should get 20+ minutes off the bench if England is either 2-0 ahead or conversely, behind and in need of goals. The only way Southgate would bring on Toney to play alongside Kane is if England were behind.
Ukraine Summary
The Ukrainians may be the fresher of the two having not travelled in the days before the game compared to England, who returned from Italy on Friday.
Ukraine played Brentford reserves in a behind-door friendly game to prepare for this game at Wembley.
Since being unluckily knocked out by Wales to the qualification to the World cup in Qatar, their form has dropped quite badly.
And naturally not being able to compete in their own country has not helped their stability or mood.
This much-anticipated trip to Wembley is the only competitive action in this break after warming up with a 2-0 win against Brentford B team.
The England game is their first competitive game since Wales painfully pipped them to UEFA Nations League qualification. This probably compensates for the fact England could be fatigued having played on Thursday.
The current caretaker boss Ruslan Rotan is also the under-21 coach, so organisation and accountability may not reliable.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. The market has England as a clear favourite for the game @ 1.28.
Ukraine looked like a decent team before being knocked out of the WC qualification by Wales last summer, they are @ 11.0 to win and the draw is @ 5.75.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. England -1.5 is @ 1.83 and the only obstacle between this winning is probably a drop in the host level of intensity.
Ukraine will be super motivated, and this could be an edge to make it close. A one-goal loss would not upset them. Ukraine +1.5 @ 2.01 is a preference.
Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all. The line is set at 2.75, the Over is @ 1.87 and the Under is @ 1.91.
