Burkina Faso
Chinese Taipei
Nigeria

Preview: Republic of Ireland vs. Ukraine - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 6 June 2022, 15:45
Republic of Ireland head into their UEFA Nations League fixture with Ukraine looking to bounce back from the deflating defeat to Armenia over the weekend.

Ukraine will prepare for this League B Group 1 contest having endured significantly more disappointment having lost out to Wales in their World Cup playoff final on Sunday.

Match preview

Despite the hot weather in Armenia on Saturday, Republic of Ireland head coach Stephen Kenny would have expected his side to grind out a win against the minnows of the group.

However, the Boys In Green failed to take their opportunities when they arrived, eventually succumbing to a Eduard Spertsyan goal which was scored in the 74th minute.

In the long run, Republic of Ireland have still only lost twice in 13 games, but the manner of the defeat and energy used in the searing heat leaves this upcoming contest far tougher than it could have been.

On a positive note, Republic of Ireland have gone over 14 months without suffering a defeat in Dublin, a six-match undefeated streak including draws with Serbia, Portugal and Belgium.

Nevertheless, losing to Ukraine will leave the team as strong contenders to drop down to the third tier of this competition, undoing a lot of the progress which has been made over the past 12 months.

From Ukraine's perspective, this competition probably means little right now as they comes to terms with the hurt which follows missing out on a place at the World Cup at the final hurdle.

Although there are far more important things occurring back home, qualification was their beacon of hope, and the manner of the defeat to Wales may take some time to overcome.

While Wales squandered their own chances, Ukraine created enough at the other end to leave their hosts feeling fortunate that the contest did not go to extra time at the very least.

Realistically, head coach Oleksandr Petrakov will rest some of his regulars with three more games to be played in quick succession, but it could be an opportunity for fresh faces to make their own mark.

Eight outfield players in this squad have earned four caps or fewer, including wide player Mykhaylo Mudryk who looks like he could become a mainstay on the flank in years to come.

Republic of Ireland Nations League form:

Republic of Ireland form (all competitions):

Ukraine form (all competitions):

Team News

Kenny will make a number of alterations to his Republic of Ireland XI with Will Keane and Michael Obafemi both pushing for a chance in attack.

James McClean could return at left wing-back, while veteran Seamus Coleman may drop into the back three given the toil of Saturday's game in Armenia.

Sergiy Sydorchuk and Mykola Shaparenko are options in the Ukraine midfield with Petrakov naturally contemplating changes to his starting lineup.

Eduard Sobol could return at left-back to hand a rest to Vitaliy Mykolenko, and Mudryk should make an appearance in the final third.

With Roman Yaremchuk unlikely to retain his spot down the middle of the attack for three more matches in succession, Artem Dovbyk may get a chance to impress in his place.

Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Duffy, Collins, Egan; Coleman, Cullen, Hendrick, McClean; Ogbene, Keane, Robinson

Ukraine possible starting lineup:

Bushchan; Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Sobol; Zinchenko, Sydorchuk, Shaparenko; Yarmolenko, Dovbyk, Mudryk

We say: Republic of Ireland 0-2 Ukraine

Before the Armenia defeat, we would have fancied Republic of Ireland to collect at least a score draw against opponents who have taken on a high workload over the past week. However, even if Ukraine make changes, we still expect the visitors to claim all three points in Dublin, and in convincing fashion, too.

Previews by email

Top News

19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Athletic Bilbao vs. Sevilla (Sunday, 6.00pm) Sevilla will look to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they travel to San Mames for Sunday's La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao. 19 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal vs. Everton (Sunday, 4.00pm) A glistening Premier League trophy will be ready and waiting at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, where victory for Arsenal over Everton could propel the Gunners to top-flight supremacy. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United's Mason Greenwood is now the subject of interest from a Champions League finalist ahead of the summer transfer window, according to a report. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly joined Premier League rivals Manchester United in the race to sign a highly-rated Championship head coach amid doubts over Mauricio Pochettino's future. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly struck a verbal agreement to sign a highly-rated Brazilian teenager for the summer of 2025. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Monday, Croatia Under-17s will kick off the European Under-17 Championship against Austria Under-17s at the Antonis Papadopoulos Stadium in Larnaca. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tournament hosts Cyprus Under-17s will face Czech Republic Under-17s in Monday's European Under-17 Championship clash. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will once again be without the services of two key players for Sunday's La Liga clash against Villarreal. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that "the good times will come" for the Red Devils, with the Dutchman again hailing the club's fans for their support this season. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Round nine of the Norwegian Eliteserien sees struggling Kristiansund hosting high-flying SK Brann at the Nordmore Stadium on Monday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk San Lorenzo can extend their winning run at Estadio Pedro Bidegain to three matches in all competitions when they host Lanus on Monday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid are reportedly keen on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and could activate a secret release clause of €70m (£60m) in his contract at Anfield. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Serbia Under-17s will kick off the Under-17 European Championship in Monday's clash with Ukraine Under-17s in Paralimni. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has admitted that he has struggled to adapt to playing in the middle of the team's defence. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk On Monday, Denmark Under-17s will begin their European Under-17 Championship campaign against Wales Under-17s at the Dasaki Stadium in Achna, Cyprus. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be bidding to make it 10 La Liga wins in a row when they head to European-chasing Villarreal on Sunday night. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in Spain's top flight when they welcome Rayo Vallecano to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Sunday evening. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Benfica are reportedly unlikely to allow Manchester United-linked Joao Neves to leave the club during this summer's transfer window unless his full €100m (£86m) release clause is met. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Bruno Fernandes is reportedly demanding a new and improved contract at Manchester United in order to commit his future to the club. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Eder Militao is in his thinking when it comes to a starting role for the Champions League final. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women have won their fifth successive Women's Super League title in Emma Hayes's final season in charge thanks to a 6-0 crushing of Manchester United Women at Old Trafford. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi has insisted that "nothing has changed" regarding his future amid claims that he could leave the Catalan giants at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona head coach Xavi has insisted that "nothing has changed" regarding his future amid claims that he could leave the Catalan giants at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Italian giants AC Milan are reportedly optimistic of winning the race for a highly-rated Serie A striker also on the radar of Arsenal and Manchester United. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will be looking to secure a top-six finish and qualify for European competition when they welcome top-10 hopefuls Bournemouth to Stamford Bridge for their final Premier League game of the season on Sunday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be crowned Premier League champions for a record fourth consecutive season if they beat West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium in their final game of the 2023-24 season on Sunday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Seeking to secure Europa Conference League football for next season, Manchester United travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion in their final Premier League game of the 2023-24 season on Sunday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The day that all Liverpool fans dreaded is nearly upon us, as Jurgen Klopp takes charge of his last game for the Reds in Sunday's Premier League finale with Wolverhampton Wanderers. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Still at risk of failing to qualify for next year's Europa League, Tottenham Hotspur head to Sheffield United's Bramall Lane base for their final Premier League match of the 2023-24 season on Sunday. 18 May 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Knowing that whatever they do might not be enough for Premier League glory, Arsenal host Everton at the Emirates in Sunday afternoon's closing act.