MX23RW : Saturday, November 14 07:50:45| >> :600:146613:146613:
Sep 3, 2020 at 7.45pm UK at Arena L'viv
UkraineUkraine
2-1
SwitzerlandSwitzerland
Yarmolenko (14'), Zinchenko (68')
Tymchyk (86')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Seferovic (41')
Elvedi (59'), Steffen (84')

Preview: Ukraine vs. Switzerland - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's UEFA Nations League clash between Ukraine and Switzerland, including team news and predicted lineups.

Ukraine and Switzerland get their UEFA Nations League campaign up and running at Arena Lviv on Thursday evening.

The pair are Group A4, which also contains heavyweight nations Spain and Germany, making this opening game all the more important.


Match preview

Switzerland were arguably the surprise package in the inaugural Nations League, finishing above Belgium to reach the finals in Portugal, where they lost to Portugal in the semis.

Vladimir Petkovic's side have played six matches since then, winning four of those to claim top spot in their Euro 2020 qualifying group.

With a place in next summer's rearranged tournament in the bag, Switzerland can now focus on these upcoming games with Ukraine, Spain and Germany.

Realistically speaking, avoiding relegation will likely be the target for La Nati, which is also the case for opponents Ukraine.

The Yellow and Blue also topped their 2018-19 Nations League group and finished above Portugal in qualifying for Euro 2020.

Andriy Shevchenko can be pleased with his work since taking over as national team boss, having seen his side go 11 matches without defeat overall.

Ukraine boss Andriy Shevchenko pictured on September 7, 2019© Reuters

The most recent of those games was a 2-2 draw with Serbia on November 17, but Shevchenko will be hoping that his side's momentum has not been killed off by the 10-month hiatus.

The same is true of Switzerland, of course, having also gone nearly a whole year since their last outing - a 6-1 win over Gibraltar to round off Euro 2020 qualifying in style.

This will be the third meeting between the sides, with the most recent match finishing 2-2 in a 2010 friendly in Geneva.

They also played out a goalless draw in the last 16 of the 2006 World Cup, before Ukraine prevailed 3-0 on penalties.

Ukraine form: WDWWWD

Switzerland form: DWLWWW


Team News

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka pictured on June 25, 2020© Reuters

Both teams have been allowed to name an extended squad for their September fixtures, with the coronavirus pandemic continuing to wreak havoc on the footballing calendar.

Switzerland confirmed on Tuesday that goalkeeping coach Patrick Foletti has tested positive for COVID-19, but the playing squad has so far been unaffected.

In an attempt to rebuild some momentum following the long pause, Petkovic will try to field something close to the XI that featured last time out.

Ukraine, likewise, will be hoping to have as little disruption as possible between now and the day of the game.

Of the 11 players that started the Serbia match last November, 10 are part of the squad for this clash - Vitaliy Mykolenko being the exception.

West Ham United forward Andriy Yarmolenko is expected to retain his place up top, with Roman Yaremchuk providing support.

Ukraine possible starting lineup:
Pyatov; Karavaev, Kryvtsov, Matviyenko, Sobol; Sydorchuk; Tsygankov, Kovalenko, Malinovskyi, Yaremchuk; Yarmolenko

Switzerland possible starting lineup:
Sommer; Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Lang, Sow, Xhaka, Benito; Fassnacht, Vargas; Ajeti


SM words green background

We say: Ukraine 1-1 Switzerland

Both teams have been in good form and deserve their place among the highest-ranked clubs in the Nations League.

With Germany and Spain also in Group A4, Switzerland and Ukraine will know the importance of picking up victory in this opening clash.

Ukraine are unbeaten in four away games and Switzerland have won three in a row at home, so we are going to sit on the fence and back a draw.


ID:412488:cQx

Who will win Thursday's UEFA Nations League clash between Switzerland and Ukraine?

Switzerland
Draw
Ukraine
Switzerland
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Ukraine
0.0%
0
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Mick McCarthy pictured on September 5, 2019
Read Next:
Mick McCarthy not worried ahead of "winner takes all" game
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Nations League
Nations League
Nations League
World Cup Qualifying - South America
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish League Cup
Finnish Veikkausliiga Playoffs
NIFL Premiership
Welsh Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
Eerste Divisie
Brasileiro
Copa de la Liga Profesional
Uruguayan Primera Division
J1 League
International Friendlies
Women's Super League
Autumn Nations Cup
Rugby Championship
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leicester CityLeicester8602189918
2Tottenham HotspurSpurs85211991017
3Liverpool85211816217
4Southampton85121612416
5Chelsea843120101015
6Aston Villa7502189915
7Everton84131614213
8Crystal Palace84131212013
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves841389-113
10Manchester CityMan City7331109112
11Arsenal8404910-112
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham83231410411
13Newcastle UnitedNewcastle83231013-311
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd73131214-210
15Leeds UnitedLeeds83141417-310
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton81341114-36
17Fulham8116715-84
18West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom8035617-113
19Burnley7025312-92
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd8017414-101

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!