Spain U21 vs Ukraine U21 prediction: EUROPE: Euro U21 – Play Offs betting tips on match 2023-07-04 19:00.
There’s an added edge to this UEFA European Under-21 Championship semi-final as both Spain and Ukraine met at the tournament just last week. Both sides were in Group B, with Spain qualifying as winners thanks to a superior goal difference, but having not been separated in their H2H clash (2-2), it’s hard to predict which way this one will go.
Spain needed a stoppage-time equaliser to secure that draw last week, but they conceded one themselves this past weekend which pushed their quarter-final with Switzerland into extra time. The five-time winners of this competition rallied though, with Juan Miranda sealing the win in the 103rd minute and in doing so he also secured a piece of tournament history as Spain equalled Italy's record by claiming their 12th top-four Euro U21 finish.
Ukraine upset the odds against France in their quarter-final with a hugely impressive 3-1 comeback victory. Chelsea attacker Mykhailo Mudryk, who produced a brilliant individual display, spoke passionately after the contest, stating how happy he was because his war-torn country “deserves” the success, with the Young Men now just one win away from their second final in just their third-ever appearance at the tournament.
Ukraine reached the final in 2006 after playing out a 0-0 semi-final draw against the-then Serbia and Montenegro, needing penalties to progress. Don’t expect to see a repeat of that here, especially as Ukraine haven’t had a goalless draw at under-21 level since way back in March 2019. With goals normally assured, anticipate some potentially arriving late in this contest, given that Ruslan Rotan’s side have scored at least once after the 80th minute in each of their last three matches.
Players to watch: In-form Manchester City man Sergio Gómez has registered four goal contributions across his last three Spain matches (G2, A2). The aforementioned Mudryk meanwhile grabbed his first assist in his tournament debut against France, adding to the three assists he got for Ukraine’s senior side last month.
Hot streak: Spain have scored 2+ goals in each of their last three H2Hs against Ukraine at Under-21 level (W2, D1).