Ukraine vs France Predictions

• Ukraine have drawn all four of their World Cup qualifiers to date (all 1-1).
• France have drawn their last four matches (after 90 mins).

Group of Draws might oblige again

Group D of European World Cup qualifying has been the group of draws so far with six of the eight games played so far finishing level – and France’s trip to Kiev on Saturday may be no different.

Didier Deschamps’ side were unable to get rid of the stink from their Euro 2020 Finals failure by only drawing with struggling Bosnia and Herzegovina in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Les Bleus finished the game with ten men after Jules Kounde was sent off and his suspension only adds to the problems Deschamps faces at full-back right now.

The France boss is without the services of preferred starters Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez through injury and now looks set to go with Lyon’s Leo Dubois on the right this weekend.

Ukraine blew their chance to close the gap on France when they threw away two leading positions in a 2-2 away draw against Kazakhstan on Wednesday.

That was their first game since being humiliated in Rome by England at the Euro 2020 Finals and Oleksandr Petrakov’s side will be desperate to show their home fans that they don’t fold easily when up against top opposition.

Zbirna have enough talent at their disposal to give France cause to be careful and, although neither team would be happy with a draw, Ukraine can certainly get that result if they defend well and in numbers.

They may also need veteran keeper Andriy Pyatov, recalled after three other glovemen dropped out, to make a crucial save or two, but anyone who saw him perform against Monaco in the Champions League playoffs recently will know he’s in good form.

At the moment France are the sort of team that are dangerous when losing, but vulnerable when leading so we are going to take the draw as our main bet and recommend a 1-1 correct score play because three of Ukraine’s four qualifiers have finished that way.