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Ukraine vs Finland Odds & Prediction – World Cup European Qualifying March 28

John Dillon

by John Dillon in Soccer News

Updated Mar 29, 2021 · 10:56 AM PDT

Oleksandr Karavaev fighting for the ball with France's Adrien Rabiot during the World Cup Group D match
Ukraine's Oleksandr Karavaev, left, fights for the ball with France's Adrien Rabiot during the World Cup 2022 group D qualifying soccer match between France and Ukraine at the Start de de France stadium, in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
  • Two nations likely to battle for Group D second-place finish meet at 2:45pm ET on Sunday
  • Ukraine claimed notable draw in France in opener while Finns were held by Bosnia-Herzegovina
  • See all Odds and Best Bets for Ukraine vs Finland  – World Cup European Qualifying March 28

Ukraine will be looking to build on its impressive draw away in France last week when they continue their World Cup qualifying campaign at home against Finland on Sunday.

The 1-1 result against the World Cup holders at the Stade De France in Group D came only five months after Ukraine were battered 7-1 in Paris in a friendly.

Meanwhile, the Finns drew 2-2 at home in their opening qualifying tie against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

World Cup Ukraine vs Finland Odds

Matchup Spread Moneyline at DraftKings Total
Ukraine vs Finland UKR -1.5 (+205) | FIN +1.5 (-250) UKR -157| FIN +475 | DRAW +255 Ov 1.5 (-286) | Un 2.5 (+220)

Odds as of March 27th.

The odds-makers would always have made Ukraine favorites for this meeting. After all, Ukraine is placed at 24th in the current FIFA World Rankings with Finland at 55.

However, the draw in Paris has strengthened Ukraine’s position with DraftKings pricing them at -157 for a win.

Finland is rated at +475 with the draw most promising at +255.

Significant Early Clash

The kick-off in Lviv is at 2:45pm ET. And with these two teams likely to be battling for second place in the final table behind France, this is already a significant game early in the qualifying competition.

Andriy Shevchenko’s Ukraine side ended a run of three straight defeats with the draw in Paris which, naturally enough, they celebrated like a win – even though it came courtesy of an own goal.

Paris St. Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe deflected a shot from Sergiy Sydorchuk into his own net in the 57th minute – with Ukraine holding out for a point.

Yet Finland is in decent form and has lost just once in its last six matches while also having qualified for Euro 2020.

Initially, Barcelona star Antoine Griezmann put dominant France ahead in Paris after 19 minutes.

But then Paris St. Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe deflected a shot from Sergiy Sydorchuk into his own net in the 57th minute – with Ukraine holding out for a point.

Similarly, Ukraine had shown it can upset the big nations when they beat Spain 1-0 in a UEFA Nations League tie at home last October.

Subsequently, though, they were beaten 2-0 in a friendly in Poland.

Then they lost two Nations League ties on the road last November – by 3-1 in Germany and 3-0 in Switzerland.

World Cup Ukraine vs Finland Stats

Ukraine
VS
Finland
0 Wins 0
1 Draws 1
0 Losses 0
1 Goals 2
1 Goals Against 2
0 Yellow Cards 3
0 Red Cards 0
0 Clean Sheets 0

The last time Ukraine qualified for a World Cup finals tournament was in 2006 when they were quarter-finalists.

But they have shown impressive form in their most recent qualifying campaign – reaching this summer’s Euro 2020 finals by winning six and drawing two of their games in Group B to top the table ahead of Portugal.

One Win in Eight for Home Side

However, they have won just once in their last eight games – again pointing towards a potential draw this time out.

Shevchenko used a back-five formation to squeeze France last Wednesday. But with more chance of a win against the Finns, Shevchenko is likely to switch to a back four to support a more attacking formation.

Their goals could come from Ruslan Malinovsky who has scored three times for Atalanta in Serie A this season.

However, the Ukraine team is not prolific and has managed only five goals in its last eight fixtures.

On the other hand, Finland has its in-form striker Teemu Pukki who scored both goals in last week’s 2-2 draw with the Bosnians.

That took his tally to four strikes in his most recent three international appearances.

He has also hit the target 22 times in 35 games this season for England’s EFL Championship leaders Norwich City.

Finland has its own impressive result against world champions France after winning 2-0 in a friendly in Paris last November

Finland fell behind against Bosnia to a goal from Barcelona’s Miralem Pjanic before Pukki struck twice.

However, the Finns let slip three points when Miroslav Stevanovic leveled in the 84th minute.

During their current run of good form, Finland has its own impressive result against world champions France after winning 2-0 in a friendly in Paris last November – although it was a weakened home side.

Ukraine Won Two Previous Meetings

That was part of a run of four straight wins which came before the 3-1 defeat in Wales in the fixture before last week’s meeting with Bosnia.

There have been two previous meetings between Ukraine and Finland – in the qualification tournament for the 2018 World Cup.

Ukraine won 1-0 at home in November, 2016 in also won the return by 2-1 the following June.

As it is likely these two nations will be slugging it out for second place in the final Group D table, it is likely to be a tight and edgy affair in Lviv on Sunday with a draw on the cards.

Pick: Draw +255


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