Ukraine vs England: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
England continue their Euro 2020 journey on Saturday night when they face Ukraine in the quarter-finals.
Andriy Shevchenko’s side earned a place in the last eight with a dramatic extra time win over Sweden in the round of 16. Oleksandr Zinchenko’s opener was cancelled out by Emil Forsberg in normal time, before substitute Artem Dovbyk headed home in the 120th minute to secure passage through.
Gareth Southgate, on the other hand, oversaw a much simpler match against Germany in the last 16. Goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane gave the Three Lions a 2-0 win – their first over Die Mannschaft in a major tournament knockout fixture since 1966.
Now, England face Ukraine in search of a second consecutive semi-final appearance at major tournaments. Here’s 90min’s preview of the clash.
When is kick off? Saturday 3 July 20:00 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Stadio Olimpico, Rome
What TV channel is the match on? BBC One (UK), fuboTV (US)
Who’s the referee? TBC
Striker Artem Besyedin was forced off against Sweden after Marcus Danielson’s challenge in extra time, for which the defender saw straight red after VAR intervened. It’s unlikely that he’ll be fit to play again.
More concerning is the fitness of Andriy Yarmolenko, who missed the second period of extra time after coming off with a niggle. Whether it is serious or not is still to be confirmed, although if he’s ready to play, there’s no way Ukraine’s main man won’t.
Shevchenko’s men set out with a back three and wing backs last time out and, given the creative talent on show for England, they could continue with that system for added security – which could see Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko play left wing back again.
There doesn’t appear to be any fresh concerns among the England camp and the fact that their round of 16 tie didn’t go into an extra period should mean that the usual starters are raring to go for their quarter-final tie on Saturday.
Jack Grealish came off the bench and added an immediate effect once more against Germany. He was crucially involved in the first goal minutes after being introduced and assisted Kane with a perfect cross for the second. With another impactful cameo under his belt, there have been yet more calls to see the Aston Villa man start – especially given the possibility of deep-lying opposition.
Ukraine: Buschan; Zabarnyi, Kryvtsov, Matviyenko; Karavaev, Sydorchuk, Stepanenko, Zinchenko; Yarmolenko, Yaremchuk, Shaparenko.
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire; Trippier, Rice, Phillips, Shaw; Sterling, Kane, Grealish.
England have only played Ukraine once at a major tournament, coming out 1-0 winners in the group stage of Euro 2012. This time, the occasion and pressure is much bigger, but these England players seem as though they’re capable of handling it.
The Three Lions are clear favourites to progress against their opposition on Saturday. The back three against Germany were fantastic throughout and against Ukraine they shouldn’t be troubled anymore than they have been previously in the tournament.
What will be tough will be breaking down Shevchenko’s side. Ukraine are very disciplined and well organised, which could result in England’s attacking talent feeling stifled.
It may be a tough task but, with the superior creative sparks within this bright England squad, they should be able to find a way through to the last four.
Prediction: Ukraine 0-2 England