Euro 2024 - Slovakia vs Ukraine: Team News and Prediction
Slovakia will look to build upon their surprise 1-0 win over Belgium when they take on Ukraine on Friday afternoon.
Here, we run through the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch this Group E game, what time it kicks off, team news and the key battle.
When is kick off?
Friday 21st June, 14:00 (BST)
Where is the match?
Düsseldorf Arena, Düsseldorf (Germany)
Slovakia vs Ukraine Team News
Midfielder Juraj Kucka is a doubt for Slovakia having come off late on in the hard-fought 1-0 win over Belgium on Monday. Otherwise, Francesco Calzona has a fully fit squad to choose from.
Vitalii Mykolenko should recover to start at left-back, which would see Oleksandr Zinchenko move back into midfield. Sergiy Rebrov may consider changes after Monday's 3-0 loss to Romania.
Slovakia vs Ukraine Probable XIs
Slovakia (433) - Dubravka; Pekarik, Vavro, Skriniar, Hancko; Kucka, Lobotka, Duda; Schranz, Bozenik, Haraslin
Ukraine (4231) - Lunin; Konoplia, Zabarnyi, Matviienko, Mykolenko; Stepanenko, Zinchenko; Tsyhankov, Sudakov, Mudryk; Dovbyk
Slovakia vs Ukraine Key Battle
Milan Skriniar held firm in Slovakia's surprise 1-0 win over Belgium, even if it took a couple of disallowed goals for Francesco Calzona's side to get over the line. Skriniar, one of the most recognisible names on the European circuit, will have his hands full again on Friday afternoon as Slovakia look to make it two wins from two and, potentially send Ukraine packing.
That's because he'll need to contain striker Artem Dovbyk. While Dovbyk had a quiet game in the 3-0 loss to Romania, the Girona forward is still a handful for defences on his day, evident in that he scored 24 times and provided eight assists in La Liga last season. To his credit, the 26-year-old would have had an assist against Romania earlier in the week had his teammates sported their shooting boots with Dovbyk managing three key passes in the loss.
Slovakia vs Ukraine Score Prediction: Slovakia 2-1 Ukraine
