Spain Vs Ukraine
Spain Vs Ukraine Sunday 6 September 2020 – 19:45 Kick-Off
UEFA Nations League – League A Group 4
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Betway
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 4 September 2020)
Preview: After winning their opening group game, Ukraine sit atop the group and are the team in the ascendency heading into their second encounter. That it is against Spain, and at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium in Madrid no less, means the table-toppers have their work cut out sustaining that early momentum.
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Table of Contents
Spain Preview – Improvements needed on the back of fortunate draw?
In the end Spain could be reasonably satisfied with the outcome of their first competitive international match for ten months. However, for most of the second half in Stuttgart it appeared Luis Enrique’s side were destined to depart Germany empty handed once they had fallen a goal behind six minutes after the break. A last-gasp leveller from Valencia full-back Jose Gaya earning them a 1-1 draw.
Next up for La Roja are the upwardly mobile Ukrainians, now top of the group after victory over Switzerland. So an upgrade in performance is needed, in particular in the attacking department. If anything it was David de Gea, handed the Man of the Match award for several fine saves, who was the busier goalkeeper as Spain largely struggled to create much of note until their 96th-minute equalising goal.
A less than fluid display was to be expected after such a lengthy lay-off. That a third draw in their last five matches, though, while Spain are now twelve without defeat (W9 D3) since losing back-to-back Nations League group games at the back end of 2018 to Croatia and England. The latter, meanwhile, were the last visiting side to win in Spain, who have since won six on the bounce on home soil for the loss of only one goal.
Ukraine Preview – Shevchenko continues to deliver on international stage?
The resurgence of Ukraine under Andriy Shevchenko, still the country’s leading scorer with 48 goals from 111 senior appearances, continued unabated on Thursday with a gutsy 2-1 victory at home to Switzerland. Both goals coming from familiar sources for those who avidly follow the English Premier League, with West Ham’s Andriy Yarmolenko and Man City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko on target in Lyiv.
Victory over the Swiss, who enjoyed the greater share of possession last time out but only mustered one effort on target, was a lesson in ruthless efficiency. Ukraine’s brilliance on the counter enabling them to create numerous openings. Bearing in mind that Sunday’s opponents Spain prefer to play with a high defensive line, and how often Germany’s forwards found space on the counter, this trip to Madrid should hold no fear.
That being said, Ukraine have lost each of the previous four head-to-head meetings with Spain. All three prior encounters in Spain resulted in losses, with the most recent of those a 1-0 reverse during the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. Yet the Ukrainians are a much stronger proposition these days. Shevchenko’s charges heading to the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium unbeaten in all competitions (W8 D4) since November 2018.
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Spain Vs Ukraine Betting Advice
An intriguing match-up in prospect in Madrid. As while Spain exude class – they’re now twelve games unbeaten, winning nine – they certainly aren’t the power of old. Meanwhile Ukraine are growing in self-belief and stature under a settled manager. The visitors can also boast a lengthy unbeaten run of their own, having also negotiated the previous twelve internationals without losing, winning only one fewer with eight.
Spain Vs Ukraine – Key Facts
- Under two different managers, Spain have put together a run of twelve consecutive games without defeat (W9 D3) and have won each of the last six home games.
- Similarly, Ukraine are also unbeaten in twelve internationals (W8 D4), though have only managed two wins from their last seven matches away from home (W2 D4 L1).
- Spain are searching for their fourth successive victory over Ukraine, having won on all three previous occasions these nations have met in Spain.
Spain haven’t conceded in five of their last six home matches, all of which were in victories, but did look vulnerable against Germany a few days ago. Furthermore, this is suddenly an extremely potent Ukraine outfit, one that has now notched exactly two goals in five of their last six contests. For this reason, I think Both Teams to Score has solid claims. Draw 1-1.
Best Betting Odds – Spain Vs Ukraine
Spain – 11/20 (Unibet)
Draw – 17/5 (Betfair)
Ukraine – 11/2 (Betway)
