VS
Based on what I saw in the opening round and the overall quality of these teams this looks like a very clear Ukraine win to me.
Northern Ireland are the worst team I have watched so far, they lost 1-0 vs Poland in their opening game. While that may not look so bad as Poland are a decent team, they showed nothing in the game and simply tried to defend the whole match. I've seen other limited teams such as Albania, Hungary who are of similar quality try to attack and take risks. Northern Ireland did not have one serious chance.
Northern Ireland on paper have one of the worst squads for sure, they did very well to qualify but looking at their group they did have a very kind draw. Greece who were in turmoil throughout qualification, Faroe Island's who are minnows, then Hungary, Romania and Finland. Average teams at best.
Ukraine lost their opener 2-0 vs Germany but they did make a few chances and should of scored, I expect them to be much more dangerous in this game vs a much weaker team. They have two fo the best wide players in the whole tournament in Yarmalenko and Konoplyanka, their team has allot of experience with most being from Shakhter and Dynamo, the two leading teams in Ukraine. Also two teams who consistently make the knock out rounds in europe year after year, they have far more quality than Northern Ireland.
Given both teams lost game 1 this is a must win, more so for Northern Ireland as they face Germany in the last game. Ukraine are equal with Poland for me and I expect them to have way too much for this limited Northern Ireland team.
Pick 1 Odds 1.60
