Ukraine vs England: Euro 2020 team news and prediction

 

In the final quarter-final meeting at Euro 2020, Ukraine face England in Rome as the pair look to secure themselves a spot in the last four. 

 

Saturday's clash will be the first time the pair have faced off since 2013, when they played out a 0-0 draw in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. England have the upper hand in the head-to-head standings, though, losing just one of the last six meetings. 

 

Ahead of this quarter-final clash, we have all your need-to-know matchday information in one place. Running through important team news, probable XIs and how both teams have fared at Euro 2020 to date. 

 

 

When is kick off? 

Saturday 3rd July, 20:00 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Stadio Olimpico, Rome (Italy) 

What TV channel is it on? 

BBC One 

 

Route to the Quarter-Finals 

 

Having finished as one of the best third-placed teams, picking up three points in Group C to progress alongside the Netherlands and Austria, Ukraine were the only side from their group to secure a quarter-final spot. They did so by beating Sweden 2-1 at Hampden, but it took an extra time winner from Artem Dovbyk to book a trip to Rome. 

 

England didn't light up Euro 2020 in the group stages, but were solid throughout as they earned seven points from their three matches, picking up wins against Croatia and the Czech Republic either side of a 0-0 draw with Scotland at Wembley. They saved their best performance for the 2-0 win over old rivals Germany in midweek as goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane saw them secure a quarter-final spot. 

 

Team News 

 

Hampden was less a football pitch and more a battle ground when Ukraine faced Sweden in midweek. Key man Andriy Yarmolenko will be assessed having been forced off in extra time, with match winner Artem Dovbyk in line to deputise if required. Oleksandr Zubkov is also a doubt, but Denys Popov and Artem Besedin, the latter of whom was on the receiving end of a high Marcus Danielson challenge, miss out. Andriy Shevchenko used a three-man backline for their last-16 triumph and may use that system again on Saturday. In this instance, Ruslan Malinovskiy would be forced to watch from the bench once more. 

 

Declan Rice and Kieran Trippier looked to be carrying knocks at the end of England's 2-0 win over Germany and will be assessed. Rice, along with midfield partner Kalvin Phillips, Harry Maguire and Phil Foden, are all one booking away from a ban in the semi-finals, so will be walking a disciplinary tight rope in Rome. Dean Henderson misses out, though wouldn't have started ahead of Jordan Pickford anyway. Gareth Southgate may revert back to a 4-3-3 system having used a three-man defence against Germany, with Trippier potentially making way, while Mason Mount and Jack Grealish could both start. 

 

Probable XIs 

 

Ukraine vs England: Euro 2020 team news and prediction

 

Ukraine (352) - Bushchan; Zabarnyi, Kryvtsov, Matvienko; Karavaev, Shaparenko, Stepanenko, Sydorchuk, Zinchenko; Yarmolenko, Yaremchuk

 

England (4231) - Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Phillips, Henderson; Sterling, Mount, Grealish; Kane

 

Key Battle: Andriy Yarmolenko vs Raheem Sterling

 

Ukraine vs England: Euro 2020 team news and prediction

 

Just one of Andriy Yarmolenko's 15 league appearances for West Ham last season came from the outset and he seems hell bent on making up for lost time at Euro 2020. Of the six goals Ukraine have scored this summer, the 31-year-old has had a direct hand in four, scoring twice, and provided he can overcome a knock, will be the man England need to be wary of on Saturday night.

 

Raheem Sterling may have endured his critics ahead of Euro 2020, and many called for the Manchester City man to be dropped against Germany, but he scored England's opening goal in their 2-0 win over Die Mannschaft to take his total to three at the competition. Sterling has now scored 17 goals for his country, all in competitive matches, and as a player who rises to the occasion, the 26-year-old is key for Gareth Southgate's side as they seek a semi-final spot.

 

Score Prediction: Ukraine 0-2 England

Ukraine vs England: Euro 2020 team news and prediction