Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Ukraine vs. Malta - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 June 2023, 13:09
Fresh from an enthralling five-goal success over North Macedonia, Ukraine go in search of back-to-back wins when they host Malta in Monday's Euro 2024 qualifying Group C.

Sergiy Rebrov's side came back from 2-0 down to defeat the Lynxes 3-2 on Friday, while Michele Marcolini's side were put to the sword 4-0 by England on their own turf.

Match preview

A few days on from throwing away a two-goal lead in a 3-3 friendly draw with Germany, Ukraine had clearly learned their lessons from that six-goal spectacular and took a leaf out of Die Mannschaft's comeback manual during their showdown with North Macedonia.

The Blue and Yellow entered half time with their heads dropped after conceding to Enis Bardhi and Eljif Elmas, but Rebrov's half-time team talk appeared to invoke a fire within the Ukrainian bellies, as Viktor Tsygankov, Ilya Zabarnyi and Yukhym Konoplya completed a terrific turnaround.

By putting a first win on the board in Group C at the second attempt - having kicked off their qualification campaign with a 2-0 loss to England - Ukraine have suddenly surged to second place in the standings, although reigning champions Italy are also sitting on three points at this embryonic stage.

Such a ranking would send Ukraine through to their fourth successive Euros finals as they endeavour to match or better their run to the quarter-finals two years ago, but shoring up the rearguard must be priority number one for Rebrov if his nation are to keep Italy at bay, as the Blue and Yellow have now shipped eight goals in their last three affairs.

However, the hosts have a six-game unbeaten run on home soil to protect - although five of those contests have ended level - and they have five wins to show from their last five Euro qualifying games on their own patch and will be firm favourites to prolong Maltese misery on Monday.

While the Ta' Qali faithful were in brilliant voice during the visit of England on Friday night, the Three Lions stuck to the task at hand and comfortably dispatched Marcolini's troops, who had no answer to England's four goals on the evening.

Ferdinando Apap's own goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold's stunner and Harry Kane's penalty put the tie to bed before the break, and while Malta shut up shop effectively for most of the second half, a harshly-awarded spot kick for handball gave Callum Wilson the chance to score his second goal for his country.

A 1-0 friendly success over Luxembourg on June 9 would have been taken with a pinch of salt by some, and Malta are already at risk of being cut adrift at the foot of Group C, failing to pick up a single point so far and only scoring a solitary goal against North Macedonia.

Defeat to England stretched the visitors' abysmal losing run in Euro qualifying games to 12 matches since a 2-1 beating of the Faroe Islands in 2019, and if those statistics were not alarming enough, Malta have never won an away match during a Euros qualifying cycle.

Malta are very rarely the favourites on paper, but the Falcons remarkably ripped up the form book to defeat Ukraine 1-0 in a 2017 friendly during their only previous meeting - lightning striking twice in Trnava would be some story indeed.

Ukraine Euro Champ Qualifying form:

L

W

Ukraine form (all competitions):

L

W

D

L

D

W

Malta Euro Champ Qualifying form:

L

L

L

Malta form (all competitions):

D

L

L

L

W

L

Team News

Ukraine lost midfielder Oleksandr Pikhalyonok and defender Valeriy Bondar to injury prior to their win over North Macedonia, but the duo only have nine caps between them, and Rebrov's team came through Friday's success unscathed.

The hosting manager's decision to bring Konoplya off the bench at half time paid dividends, and the right-back could now be a straight swap for Oleksandr Tymchyk in the rearguard.

Despite failing to make his mark at Chelsea so far, Mykhaylo Mudryk assisted Ukraine's final two goals on Friday and will now aim to break his own duck at the 12th attempt before jetting off to the Under-21 European Championships.

As for Malta, Marcolini has no fresh issues to report from their thumping at the hands of England, where Union SG lynchpin Teddy Teuma was passed fit to start after a previous injury scare.

However, Matthew Guillaumier - who gave away the game's first penalty - was taken off at half time and may be fearing for his place in the engine room, as Jake Grech and Nicky Muscat put their hands up for starts.

The latter's namesake Zach Muscat came up with the only goal when Malta defeated Ukraine six years ago, and the Farense defender is a surefire starter at the back.

Ukraine possible starting lineup:

Trubin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko; Tsygankov, Stepanenko, Sudakov, Mudryk; Yarmolenko, Dovbyk

Malta possible starting lineup:

Bonello; Apap, Borg, Muscat; Mbong, Guillaumier, Teuma, Kristensen, Attard; Jones, Nwoko

We say: Ukraine 3-0 Malta

Ukraine may need a lesson or two in keeping the back door shut, but Malta's goal-shy charges are unlikely to trouble Rebrov's backline in what should be a foregone conclusion from the first whistle.

Previews by email

Top News

31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their ninth Bundesliga game of the season, relegation threatened Wolfsburg are set to host Augsburg on Saturday at Volkswagen Arena. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who have turned a corner of late go head to head in round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Fortuna Sittard welcome Heerenveen to the Fortuna Sittard Stadion on Sunday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest will endeavour to win their third consecutive Premier League game when they welcome West Ham United to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In one of two high-profile matches round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season has to offer, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar will do battle at De Kuip on Saturday evening. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both gunning for promotion in their respective divisions, Walsall and Bolton Wanderers will turn their attentions to the FA Cup as they meet for a first-round tie at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have received a major injury boost regarding Manuel Akanji, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga giants Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Rafael Leao at AC Milan, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Bournemouth 'should not abandon their principles' in Saturday's clash with the Premier League champions at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim meet at Holstein-Stadion in Saturday's gameweek nine match in a battle between a host in their first Bundesliga season and an opponent in their second-ever top-flight year. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that the Red Devils "can and have to perform better", as he prepares the team for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that he is expecting to remain at Manchester United as an assistant manager once the club have finalised a deal for Erik ten Hag's long-term replacement. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to make it back-to-back wins in pursuit of the top six in the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford will meet at Hillsborough on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to bounce back to winning ways in their fights at opposite ends of the Championship table, Leeds United and Plymouth Argyle will square off at Elland Road on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Securing consecutive wins for the first time since September will be the major objective for Heracles as they entertain the challenge of NAC Breda at the Asito Stadium on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly started to consider other options in the transfer market at left-back, due to the predicted wage demands of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is expected to recall several of his first-team stars for Saturday's Premier League clash with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town could be without as many as 10 players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just three points in the top six of the Championship table, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United will meet in an important contest at Ewood Park on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Last season's top two in the Championship lock horns at Portman Road for a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon when Ipswich Town play host to Leicester City. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their first MLS playoff contest at Citi Field since 2022, New York City FC host FC Cincinnati needing a win on Saturday to stay alive in the quest for the cup. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Premier League have released the shortlist for October's Player of the Month award, with players from clubs up and down the table and all over the pitch included. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Phil Foden is in contention to start for Manchester City in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes will be aiming to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign with a trip to Girona on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Miami can book a place in the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs with a victory over Atlanta United in game two of that series on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erling Haaland is expected to return to Manchester City's starting lineup for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool expert David Lynch can envisage a captivating battle brewing between Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota for the right to lead the Reds' line when the latter returns from an abdominal injury. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has suggested that four key players could be absent from Saturday's meeting with West Ham United. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has virtually confirmed that he will announce his departure from the club imminently, amid reports that Manchester United have agreed to make him their new manager. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Osasuna will be bidding to make it successive victories in Spain's top flight when they continue their campaign with a home fixture against struggling Real Valladolid on Saturday afternoon.