Kazakhstan vs Ukraine Predictions

Kazakhstan test first for Petrakov

Ukraine head to Kazakhstan in World Cup 2022 qualifying on Wednesday as they begin life without Andriy Shevchenko.

Shevchenko led the Ukraine to their best ever finish at a European Championships as they reached the last eight at Euro 2020 but he opted to leave his role as coach after the tournament.

Oleksandr Petrakov has been placed in interim charge for the World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign and this trip to Kazakhstan will be his first as manager.

Ukraine do have a good record against their hosts with four wins and one draw from five meetings so far.  The Kazakhs also go into this clash in poor form and are winless in their last nine fixtures (D3, L6).  

At home, Talgat Baysufinov’s men have been particularly poor with five defeats and one draw in their last six games.  That has included losses to the likes of Cyprus, Belarus and Lithuania.

Kazakhstan did manage a draw in the Ukraine in their last meeting in this qualification Group D but I still feel the visitors, buoyed by their strong showing at Euro 2020, should have the quality to win this match.

The Ukraine did dominate their meeting in qualifying in March but just couldn’t put away their chances as Kazakhstan rode their luck. The hosts may not be as fortunate this time around and I’m backing a win for the visitors, with a 2-0 win in Petrakov’s first game in charge my correct score selection.