Italy vs Ukraine Predictions

• Ukraine have lost just two of their last 12 away European Championship qualifiers
• Italy have won two of their last seven home games
• Three of Ukraine’s last four European Championship qualifiers have gone under 2.5 goals

Pressure mounting on Azzurri

Reigning European champions Italy are in danger of missing out on the chance to defend their title in Germany next summer and their qualification prospects may not improve when they host Ukraine.

New boss Luciano Spalletti’s first game in charge ended in frustration after a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia on Saturday, a result which leaves the Azzurri three points behind Ukraine in second, albeit they have a game in hand.

With away games against Ukraine and group leaders England still to come, Tuesday’s clash at San Siro has taken on added significance.

Italy’s recent results – they’ve won two of their last seven at home in all competitions – makes them tough to trust to get the win they so desperately need and Ukraine arrive in Milan fresh from an emotional clash with England.

Ukranie riding an emotional wave

Despite playing their home qualifier with England 950km from Kyvi in the Polish city of Wroclaw, Ukrainian fans packed the stadium to roar their team on to a 1-1 draw.

England couldn’t break through a resolute Ukraine defence and Serhiy Rebrov’s well-organised team have now lost just three of their last 23 internationals.

They should get opportunities to open up Italy, who have kept two clean sheets across their last 11 matches and Ukraine have been clinical in front of goal of late, netting three or more in three of their last four away internationals.

Given these two have given away more fouls per game than anyone else in Group C, this is likely to be a stop-start encounter, which should put a cap on the number of goals, as well as favouring the away side.

Ukraine have shown themselves to be resilient enough to suggest they can avoid defeat in Milan and would gratefully accept a low-scoring draw to maintain their advantage over Italy.