Ukraine vs Wales Betting Tips & Predictions

Both Ukraine and Wales were in action on Thursday in the first of their two warm up games before Euro 2016. Ukraine struggled to a 1-0 home win over Cyprus, with the visitors putting on a really solid display against a rather disappointing Ukraine side.

Wales struggled as well. Their depleted squad could only manage a 1-1 draw at home to Northern Ireland, with it taking an 89th minute penalty for the hosts to earn a point as they struggled to create opportunities without Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

These two players remain out of contention for this match against Ukraine, and their absence was a big miss for a Wales squad largely reliant on their star players. This draw against Northern Ireland made it two draws, two defeats, and just one win in their last five matches.

Ukraine have won three, drawn one, and lost one of their last five matches, but they also looked rather bleak against a Cyprus side they should have been beating easily.

Unfortunately I think Wales’ attacking injuries will hamper this games’ entertainment prospects. Ukraine aren’t the highest of scorers in the first place, with none of their last six outings resulting in more than two goals. Wales have a solid defence behind them, and without Bale and Ramsey I can’t imagine them offering much going forward away to a side who have kept three clean sheets in their last six matches.

Six of Wales’ last seven games have resulted in fewer than three goals, so combined with Ukraine’s low scoring matches I think odds of 8/13 for Under 2.5 Goals offer a good amount of value. I’m backing Ukraine to get a 1-0 win at 9/2 as well.