Ukraine vs Cyprus Predictions

• Ukraine have scored exactly one goal in each of their last five internationals.
• Cyprus have not scored in any of their last five contests.
• Ukraine have scored less than two goals in each of their last 12 matches.

Oppose blunt Ukraine to break down Cypriots

Ukraine complete their preparations for Euro 2020 with one final home friendly against opponents they should beat – Cyprus – on Monday evening.

Andriy Shevchenko’s men overcame a makeshift Northern Ireland side 1-0 in their last game when an unmarked Oleksandr Zubkov stole in at the back post to head home a 10th minute winner.

It brought an end to a seven-game winless run during which Ukraine had struggled to put away inferior opponents on home soil, drawing 1-1 with Finland, Kazakhstan and Bahrain in the three games prior to that.

Results would suggest Shevchenko’s men have gone off the boil in the months that have followed their near-perfect Euro 2020 qualifying campaign.

But they did beat a strong Spain line-up in the Nations League on home soil last October and claimed a fine World Cup qualifying point in France back in March.

Cyprus played up to type in their 1-0 loss to Hungary last Friday with a stout defensive display and virtually no attacking threat.

They will attempt to keep the score respectable on Monday by putting bodies behind the ball and frustrating Ukraine every step of the way.

It should still be a win for Sheva’s men here, although opposing the hosts to score more than a couple of goals offers the best value.

Cyprus’ dry spell – failing to score in their last five internationals – gives the impression that one goal might be enough to win this for the hosts.

Therefore out recommendation is to take Under 1.5 Ukraine team goals – which has landed in their last 12 international games.