Italy vs Ukraine
International – Friendlies
Date: Wednesday, 10 October 2018
Kick-Off at 19:45 UK
Venue: Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris (Genova).
Italy
The Azzurri are coming off a 1-0 defeat to Portugal in their last international fixture back in September. They were second best to the hosts for much of the UEFA Nations League encounter and could only muster just two shots on target in 90 minutes.
The Italians have struggled in their recent outings having claimed just one win in five matches under manager Roberto Mancini. They are currently winless in their last four fixtures with two wins and two draws in that run.
Mancini has left out Mario Balotelli from his squad with the Nice striker struggling for form this season. Sebastian Giovinco makes a return for the first time since 2015 while the likes of Nicolo Barella a and Gianluca Caprari are both set to earn their first caps having impressed for Cagliari and Sampdoria this season.
Ukraine
The Main Team were victorious in their last fixture back in September as they saw off Slovakia in the UEFA Nations League. Andriy Yarmolenko's penalty on 80 minutes was enough to separate the teams as the hosts claimed a 1-0 win.
Ukraine have been one of the form teams in Europe recently as they are currently unbeaten in their last seven matches. They have claimed five wins in that run, including victories over Japan, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Manager Andriy Shevchenko has retained the bulk of the squad that featured in the two UEFA Nations League matches back in September with Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka both included. Both men have impressed in their recent matches for Ukraine and will be expected to start on Wednesday.
Italy vs Ukraine: Head-to-head
Ukraine haven’t managed to beat Italy yet in their history and they managed to avoid the defeat just once.
The hosts are in a streak of four victories against their rivals and their clashes have been moderate scoring ones.
Italy vs Ukraine – Match Statistics:
The Italians are undefeated against the Ukrainians, having won six and drawn once. Their most famous win came in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Quarter-finals, where they defeated Ukraine 3-0.
Both national teams are competing in the new UEFA Nations League tournament, although in different leagues.
Italy sit in third place in League A – Group 3, having earn one point in their first two matches. Should this trend continue, Gli Azzurri risk being dumped into League B.
Ukraine sit in first place in League B – Group 1, having earned six points from their opening two matches. Should this trend continue, the Yellow-Blues will surely be promoted to League A.
Italy vs Ukraine: Bet Tips
Draw @ 3.30
BTTS Yes @ 2.00.
Match-Up
The Italians have struggled for goals lately with Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne and Simone Zaza all failing to find the net in recent matches. All three men are unlikely to get much joy against an organised Ukraine defence led by Mykyta Burda and Yaroslav Rakitskiy.
Ukraine’s attacking threat often comes from the wide areas with Konoplyanka and Yarmolenko. Both men are quick and tricky but are not known for being prolific and could struggle against Domenico Criscito and Emerson Palmieri.