Ukraine Vs Lithuania match preview look out for Adriy Shevchenko
TOURNAMENT ANALYSIS
Ukraine is coming into this encounter as the favorites. Since they broke off from the Soviet Union they have become a side to reckon with in the international football stage. They are famously known as the blue-yellows. They missed the trip to South Africa narrowly but they had featured well in the recent World Cup in Germany. There they went up to the quarter-finals picking up some great wins over Saudi Arabia, they went on to beat Tunisia and Switzerland. These stunning performances propelled them to global glory, riding on the back of Adriy Shevchenko, who took the spot kick that made them go past the Tunisians.
That campaign was cut short prematurely by a 3-0 drubbing in the hands of the Italians. These two teams are not in the World Cup but the Euro 2012 is a huge issue to the Ukrainians who are hosting it. This is going to be a golden opportunity to build on their momentum even with their spot assured in the Euro 2012, they do not want to seat in the sidelines. Myron Markevych, the Ukrainian coach is going to be looking for a win from his players and is most like to play a game that will assure him of this. He is known to play a defensive game and put Shevchenko as the single finisher ahead to grab a goal or two and keep all his men behind and hold of all attacks .Lithuania is not going to be much of a threat and he may be willing to play a more flowing game against them.
MATCH ANALYSIS
HEAD TO HEAD ANALYSIS
Lithuania 2 - 0 Ukraine
Ukraine 1 - 0 Lithuania
The history between these two teams allows us to speculate - could Lithuania repeat the same performance when the Ukrainian team visited them in their own turf? The Ukrainian fans are going to be one hundred percent behind their team and this will count as a plus.
RECENT FORM UKRAINE
Ukraine 0-1 Greece, Greece 0-0 Ukraine, Andorra 0-6 Ukraine, Ukraine 1-0 England, Belarus 0-0 Ukraine, Ukraine
Recent record
Lithuania 2-1 Serbia, Austria 2-1 Lithuania, Faroe Islands 2-1 Lithuania. Luxembourg 0-1 Lithuania, Lithuania 0-1 Romania
Ranking at a prestigious 23rd position in the FIFA ranking this is going to boost the morale of the Ukrainian side to tackle this match with all their dedication n knowing that their efforts are going to earn them results. Ukraine’s recent play has been formidable and this is going to count. Their squad is ridden with talent and skilled players, they have excellent teamwork and they have players who are talented as individuals also.
PLAYER ANALYSIS
Adriy Shevchenko is going to be the player to look out for.
BETTING TIPS
Ukraine is coming into this encounter as the clear favorites to win this clash will Lithuanian not posing significant threats to the team that is not so bad off in the pitch. The likes of Andriy Shevchenko are going to be an ever looming danger to the goal post of the Lithuanians. The bookies are giving Ukraine all the credit, giving them the odds of 1.40 and some will to give a high of 1.45.
Lithuanians are going to have to bear with under dogs status when they come into this class with bookies giving them a generous average of 7.17, with some bookies willing to go as high as 8.50.Draws seems more realistic although not very possible and it is placed at an average of 3.98 with some bookies willing to go as high as 8.50.Lithuania have had greater times but the type of opposition from Ukraine is not going very easy to go around. The blues and yellows have this match to discover their strong points and they are poised to win this clash without much do.
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