Ukraine vs Belgium Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds

Murcia gears up to host the first leg of the knockouts.

The Ukraine national football team secured a second-place finish in the UEFA Nations League B Group 1, collecting eight points from six matches with two wins and two draws. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing geopolitical situation, which has forced them to play their home leg in Spain, Ukraine will be determined to capitalize on this fixture and gain an upper hand against Belgium in the knockout stage.

Heading into the clash, Ukraine boast solid form, remaining unbeaten in their last four matches, including a crucial victory over Albania. Their recent performances indicate resilience and tactical discipline. They will aim to extend their positive run while leveraging their attacking strengths to unsettle the Belgian defence.

Belgium’s golden generation appears to have faded, and their decline has been evident since the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Once the world’s top-ranked team, Belgium have struggled to maintain its dominance, failing to secure a top-two finish in the UEFA Nations League A Group 2. Despite facing formidable opponents like France and Italy, their inability to register two victories against Israel further underscored their downfall, culminating in a disappointing defeat in their most recent encounter against the same opposition.

Across their six group-stage matches, Belgium managed just one win, alongside a solitary draw, while suffering four losses. This underwhelming campaign has raised concerns about their ability to compete at the highest level. As they prepare for their knockout fixture against Ukraine, they must rediscover their lost form to avoid another setback on the international stage.

Kick-off:

• Location: Churra, Spain
• Stadium: Estadio Nueva Condomina
• Date: Friday, 21 March
• Kick-off Time: 1:15 AM IST
• Referee: Sandro Scharer
• VAR: In use

Check-in at Proximus Basecamp. ☑️ pic.twitter.com/690syyRtFm

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) March 17, 2025

Form:

Ukraine (in all competitions): W-D-D-W-L

Belgium (in all competitions): L-L-L-D-L

Players to watch out for:

Ivan Kalyuzhnyi (Ukraine)

Ivan Kalyuzhnyi, the 27-year-old Ukrainian central midfielder, has plied his trade for various clubs, including Dynamo Kyiv. However, his stint in India with Kerala Blasters FC remains one of the most defining periods of his career. During his time in the Indian Super League, he made 18 appearances and netted four goals, playing a pivotal role in Ivan Vukomanovic’s setup.

His dynamic presence in midfield and ability to contribute both defensively and offensively were instrumental in helping Kerala Blasters secure back-to-back semi-final appearances. Now, as he continues his journey, Kalyuzhnyi remains a crucial asset for any team looking for a versatile and hardworking midfielder.

Lois Openda (Belgium)

Lois Openda, the 25-year-old Belgian centre-forward from Liege, has showcased his striking prowess across various clubs, including Club Brugge, Lens, and most recently, RB Leipzig. At Leipzig, he has made a significant impact, registering 32 goals in 59 appearances, cementing his status as one of the club’s most reliable goal-scorers.

On the international stage, Openda has been a valuable asset for Belgium, netting three goals for the national team. His most recent strike came in a high-profile UEFA Nations League A clash against France at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels in October 2024, highlighting his ability to deliver on big occasions. As Belgium aim to revive its form, Openda’s goal-scoring instincts could prove crucial in their upcoming fixture against Ukraine.

Match Facts:

• The only meeting between these two sides ended in a draw.
• Ukraine won two of their last five fixtures.
• Belgium lost four of their last five games.

Ukraine vs Belgium: Betting Tips and Odds:

• Match to end in a draw – 4/2 with bet365
• Roman Yaremchuk to score first – 7/1 with William Hill
• Ukraine 2-2 Belgium – 11/1 with Paddypower

Injuries and Team News:

For Ukraine, there are no injury concerns.

For Belgium, Arthur Theate and Malik Fofana will be absent due to injury concerns.

Head To Head stats:

Total matches – 01

Ukraine won – 00

Belgium won – 00

Matches drawn – 01

Predicted Lineup:

Ukraine predicted lineup (4-1-4-1):

Trubin (GK); Konoplya, Zabarnyl, Matviyenko, Mykolenko; Kalyuzhnyi; Hutsulyak, Zinchenko, Sudakov, Mudryk; Yaremchuk

Brighton predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Casteels (GK); Al-Dakhil, Faes, Debast, Castagne; Vermeeren, Mangala; Lukebakio, Engels, Trossard; Openda

Match Prediction:

Ukraine may emerge as the favourites, looking at their recent form. However, the relocation of their home venue to Spain amidst geopolitical tensions could serve as a major blow as Churra is nearer to Brussels than Kyiv. We expect Ukraine to draw the first blood and the match to culminate in a draw.

Prediction: Ukraine 2-2 Belgium

Telecast Details:

India: Sony ESPN, Sony LIV

UK: ITV, Viaplay

USA: fubo TV, Fox Sports

Nigeria: SuperSport

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