Prediction and odds for the game: Ukraine (5/1) vs France (8/13)

We are backing half-time/France at odds of 3/1

When: Saturday, 4th September 2021, Kick-off 19:45

Where: The NSK Olimpijs’kyj

On Saturday night, Ukraine host France in Group D of European qualifying for World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Ukraine

The home side is regarded as the second favourites behind France to qualify for the World Cup via Group D. Oleksandr Petrakov’s team are second in the group, but have all four of their matches in qualifying, including the reverse fixture that finished 1-1. Last time out, Ukraine drew 2-2 in Kazakhstan.

The game saw a run of low-scoring games in World Cup qualifying for Ukraine, as their previous seven qualifiers have all produced under 2.5 goals. However, both teams have scored in Ukraine’s last four matches in qualifying for the World Cup.

Their start in Group D means that Ukraine have now failed to win in their previous five World Cup qualifiers. This would be a great game to change that underwhelming record in qualifying.

Ukraine have been difficult to beat on home soil in qualifying of late, as they have lost just once in their previous 12 qualifying matches on their own patch. However, they have also failed to win in their last three qualifiers.

France

The world champions have made an uncertain start to their Group D qualifying campaign, winning two and drawing two of their matches. Les Bleus results so far have been enough to keep them at the top of the standings with eight points. What may concern the visitors is the fact that they have drawn their last four competitive games in 90 minutes, while suffering a penalty defeat against Switzerland in the last-16 of Euro 2020.

However, Didier Deschamps team will be confident of booking their place at World Cup 2022 in a relatively comfortable manner. The fact that they have lost just one of their last 15 World Cup qualifiers will only add to the belief.

Les Bleus most recent qualifiers have been tight, low-scoring affairs though, with under 2.5 goals scored in six of their last seven qualifiers.

France have been strong on their travels in World Cup qualifiers, as Deschamps team has won five of their last six matches away from home in qualifying. The visitors have also kept three straight clean sheets in qualifying.

Les Bleus have had the upper hand in recent games against Ukraine, as they have lost just one of the last 11 meetings between the two teams, recording six wins in the process.

Conclusion

The reverse fixture was a Saint-Denis was a close encounter and we expect this game to follow a similar pattern. Neither team is in great form, but the visitors have superior quality players. The first bet we are going to back is under 2.5 goals, as both sides recent qualifiers have not exactly been goal fests. The other recommendation is half-time/France, as even the visitors will find the Ukraine tough opposition on home soil.

Our Tips: We are backing under 2.5 goals at odds of 8/11 and/or half-time/France at odds of 3/1. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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