Ukraine v Northern Ireland Predictions & Betting Odds – Euro 2016

Who will edge must-win match up?

Ukraine v Northern Ireland Euro 2016

Ukraine v Northern Ireland Betting Preview – Euro 2016, 16th June

Both of these go into their second match of the tournament needing a win. Northern Ireland were edged out by Poland in their opener, while the Ukraine were taken down by Germany. The Ukraine though showed a lot more adventure and carried much more of an attacking threat against the Germans that many had expected them to do. So this is a tough game for the Irish who have to come out and show some attacking intent at some point of this one. They don’t lack the fight, but have they got the quality to get something out of this?

Bet365’s 0-0 bore draw insurance could be a great option to cover yourself with in this one. Register an account with them and earn a 100% matched deposit bonus first of all. Then for all Euro 2016 matches, place a pre-match bet on the correct score, scorecast, half time/full time, first goalscorer, last goalscorer or anytime goalscorer markets and if your bet loses because there are no goals scored in the game, then you will get your lost stake refunded!

Ukraine v Northern Ireland Euro 2016 Infographic

Ukraine v Northern Ireland Betting Tips

The Ukraine weren’t all that bad against Germany in their opener it has to be said. They gave a better account of themselves than many would have expected them to do. They had a really good spell towards half time in the match when they really had the world champions rattled. The longer the game went on, the more control Germany exerted in the match and they looked comfortable in the end with a 2-0 victory. But those glimpses of attacking prowess, particularly down the flanks on the break, suggests that they could cause Northern Ireland quite a few problems in this game. For both of them this is a must-win game now, without question. The last two meetings have not produced a winner between them though with their last two ending in a 0-0 draw. If you want to run with that trend, which has some appeal, then a 0-0 correct score wagers will be up at a price of 7/1, while a Ukraine 1-0 Correct Score punt is at 4/1.

Up in the anytime goalscorer market, the Ukraine have Andriy Yarmolenko at even money with Evgen Seleznyov at a 7/4 quote. So there are touches of real quality in their side to push on for the victory that they need. Because they need a win too, this make it all the more difficult for Northern Ireland. Under 2.5 goals on the game is trading at a quote of 3/4 with Bet365. All but four of Northern ireland’s last seventeen games have produced two goals or fewer in them, you aren’t looking at a goal fest in this one. There have been just the four previous meetings between the Ukraine and Northern Ireland and the Ukraine are head with a W2 D2 L0 record from those games. They have scored only the three goals in total across those games, so again, likely to be a low scoring affair. The two sides haven’t met since Euro 2004 qualifying.

Northern Ireland have to come out and be a little more positive than they were in their opener against Poland. That was a difficult game for them though against a good attacking side, so they had to be somewhat cautious. They don’t look as if they have much going forward in the final third though, that is the big concern here, especially if the Ukraine keep them occupied down the flanks. Northern Ireland have the grit to battle thing out though and if they were to get a win in this one, it’s hard to picture it being by more than a 1-0 scoreline. That would still be a massive win for them at this stage of proceedings. Their defeat against Poland snapped a twelve match unbeaten streak that they were on and they didn’t get overran by Poland. So that’s a positive, but then again, you don’t worry about the strength of their defensive set up, it’s just a concern whether or not they can get the goals on the board to progress.

Ukraine v Northern Ireland Betting Odds

Ukraine 4/7, Draw 3/1, Northern Ireland 6/1

Ukraine v Northern Ireland Predictions

So Northern Ireland have to come up with something special in this one. This is likely to be a low scoring game so go under 2.5 goals. The Irish will have to come out of their shell at some point in the game, but the edge that the Ukraine have in pace out wide may be the telling factor in this one. Look for the Ukraine to edge this one.