Verdict: France U21 win
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Luckster
With a European Championship semi-final ticket up for grabs on Sunday evening, France will meet Ukraine on the Cluj Arena this weekend.
France U21
Starting with France, whereas France may need signed off 2022 with a short wobble, the European giants have come roaring again in some type. Along with opening their summer season journey with an eye catching 2-1 win towards Italy on June twenty second, Les Bleus received every of their three Group D appearances and have definitely laid down an actual marker. Looking to get their palms on a primary European Championship crown since 1988, Sylvain Ripoll’s squad ought to discover the temper of their camp at a red-hot excessive. In truth, together with signing off their Group D romp with a stellar 4-1 victory towards Switzerland earlier within the week, France have now received every of their final 4 straight appearances throughout all competitions. Likewise, struggling only a single loss from any of their earlier 20 matchups throughout all competitions – a run that stems all the best way again to May 2021 – Les Bleus will really feel that they’ve an actual likelihood on Sunday evening.
Team News
Suffering what appears prefer it might be a long-term hamstring damage final week, Crystal Palace star Michael Olise will miss out on Sunday evening. 23-year-old Lyon starlet Maxence Caqueret ought to hold his spot within the coronary heart of Ripoll’s midfield right here.
While Bradley Barcola may need now notched two European strikes this season, the 20-year-old might be changed in assault by Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo.
Ukraine U21
As for Ukraine, though Ruslan Rotan’s squad may need opened their summer season journey tipped as an out of doors contender to punch a knockout stage ticket, the Yellows have continued to impress many throughout the continent. Opening their European Championship marketing campaign with a stellar 2-0 win towards Croatia on June twenty first, the Young Men breezed their method to the knockout stage with out breaking a lot of a sweat. Signing off their Group B romp with an action-packed 2-2 draw towards former champions Spain, Rotan’s aspect have loved a vastly spectacular flurry on both aspect of opening 2023. Yet to style a single European Championship defeat this summer season, Ukraine have suffered only a single loss from any of their earlier 10 appearances throughout all competitions – a run that stems again to a 3-2 qualifying defeat towards Slovakia 9 months in the past. However, though the Yellows is likely to be using an actual wave of momentum, Rotan’s squad will probably be greater than conscious that they face an actual problem on Sunday evening.
Team News
While 20-year-old Georgiy Sudakov may need made an eye catching second-half cameo look towards Spain earlier within the week, the Shakhtar Donetsk starlet will doubtless should accept one other spot on the bench right here.
After serving a one-match suspension in midweek, Dynamo Kyiv defender Vladyslav Vanat might make a full return on Sunday evening.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the 2 sides final met on qualifying duties 12 months in the past, France and Ukraine performed out a outstanding 3-3 draw.
- Les Bleus have solely misplaced one in every of their 9 conferences towards Sunday’s fellow quarter-finalists.
- France have suffered only a single loss from any of their earlier 20 matchups throughout all competitions – a run that stems all the best way again to May 2021.
- Including a vigorous 2-2 draw towards Spain earlier within the week, Ukraine have scored over 1.5 objectives in 4 of their final 5 matchups throughout all competitions.
- Just the final two conferences between France and Ukraine have produced 11 objectives between each side.
Conclusion
While Ukraine is likely to be having fun with their very own well-known summer season flurry, Rotan’s record-breakers definitely face a heavyweight problem on Sunday evening. Watching Les Bleus log off their group stage journey with a stellar 4-1 romp towards Switzerland, the European giants have made a significant assertion thus far. Winning every of their three Group D showdowns by an combination rating of 7-2, France have additionally continued on a outstanding purple patch over latest occasions. Suffering only a single loss from any of their earlier 20 straight matchups throughout all competitions – a run that stems all the best way again to May 2021 – we predict Ripoll’s squad to punch their semi-final ticket this weekend.
Verdict: France U21 win
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Luckster
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