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Scotland vs Ukraine Odds & Prediction – World Cup Semifinal Playoff (Jun 1)

Sam Cox

by Sam Cox in Soccer News

Updated May 31, 2022 · 9:27 AM PDT

Scotland vs Ukraine
Apr 27, 2022; Portland, OR, USA; Ukraine flags mark the field corners before a Peace Charity Match between the Portland Thorns FC and the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
  • Ukraine face Scotland on June 1st in a World Cup playoff semifinal
  • Scotland are +135 favorites on the moneyline
  • Read below for Scotland vs Ukraine odds and our prediction

Scotland host Ukraine at Hampden Park on June 1st in a delayed World Cup playoff semifinal. This is Ukraine’s first proper international fixture since November due to Russia’s invasion, and they are underdogs in the Scotland vs Ukraine odds.

This fixture will decide which team remains in the World Cup futures & outrights. The winner will face Wales in the final of Path A on June 5th. Whoever comes out on top in that match will join England, the USA and Iran in Group B at the Qatar World Cup later this year.

Scotland vs Ukraine Odds

Matchup Moneyline
Scotland +135
Ukraine +235
Draw +215

Odds as of May 31 at Barstool

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Over/Under and Spread

A low-scoring game is expected on Wednesday with under 2.5 total goals priced at -200. The spread is set at -0.25 in the hosts’ favor — Scotland -1 is as long as +310.

Scotland vs Ukraine Prediction for World Cup Semifinal Playoff

Scotland come into this match on a strong run of form, having not lost in eight matches. That includes two draws in March, however. There’s immense pressure on Steve Clarke’s team as they aim to qualify for their first World Cup in 24 years.

On the other side of this fixture, it’s destined to be an emotional match for the visitors. Ukraine had some action as part of the Global Tour for Peace in mid-May, but football has been a long way down the priority list over the last few months. Their last competitive match was a 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, which took them to 12 points from eight qualifying matches and secured a spot in the playoff tournament.

Scotland’s Strong Home Form

This is just the third meeting between the two sides. Both of the previous encounters took place during Euro 2008 qualification with each nation winning its home fixture. Scotland haven’t lost a home qualifier since they were hammered by Belgium back in September 2019.

The Tartan Army are bound to be in good voice under the lights at Hampden on Wednesday. Scotland got the better of Denmark, Israel, Moldova and the Faroe Islands at home during the first stage of World Cup qualifying.

We shouldn’t overlook Ukraine’s impressive recent record on the road either, though. They delivered under pressure to win in Zenica against Bosnia and Herzegovina, they beat Finland in Helsinki and put in a spectacular performance to draw with France in Paris in March 2021. While this group hasn’t played a competitive match together in a long time, rust should not be an issue given that most have been in action at club level. This is no walkover for the Scots.

Scotland vs Ukraine Statistics

Scotland
VS
Ukraine
WWWWDD Form DDWDDW
1998
Group Stage
Last World Cup appearance 2006 – QFs
7 Goals conceded in Qualifying 8
17 Goals scored in Qualifying 11
13 Shots per match in Qualifying 15.6
16 Yellow cards in Qualifying 11

Scotland vs Ukraine Lineups and Injuries

Scotland Projected Lineup: Gordon; Hendry, Hanley, Cooper; O’Donnell, McTominay, McGregor, Robertson; Christie, McGinn, Dykes.

Scotland Injuries: Jack, Tierney.

Ukraine Projected Lineup: Pyatov; Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko; Malinovskyi, Stepanenko, Zinchenko; Yarmolenko, Yaremchuk, Tsygankov.

Ukraine Injuries: None.

Scotland vs Ukraine Best Bet

Home advantage naturally pushes the betting in Scotland’s favor. Ukraine arguably have more talent than their hosts, but there’s real uncertainty over how this team will look given the circumstances. They have no injury concerns, however, while Scotland will miss Kieran Tierney and fatigue might be an issue for Andy Robertson after playing in the Champions League final at the weekend.

A low-scoring match is all but guaranteed. Under 2.5 has cashed in six of Scotland’s seven competitive matches since the Euros, and it’s hit in five of Ukraine’s seven internationals over the same period. The visitors will be happy to keep this close. With both teams being cagey early on, under 0.5 first half goals is a decent wager at +143 in the World Cup odds.

Four of six UEFA World Cup playoff matches have had under 2.5. At just -200, though, there’s not a great deal of value there. Instead, let’s back this to go to extra time. If you’re searching for longer odds still, it might be worth considering a draw after 90 minutes and under 2.5 at +250.

Pick: Draw at full time (+215)

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