Ukraine vs. France 9/4/21 European World Cup Qualifications Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction
Ukraine vs. France
September 4, 2021 2:45 pm EDT
The Line: Over 2.5 +110, Under 2.5 -143
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Ukraine is hosting France at Olimpiysky National Sports Complex in round 5 of Group D of the World Cup Qualifications. Ukraine hasn’t won any of their last 2 games, and they haven’t extended Shevchenko’s contract, which is a mistake. France is also in a bad form, and they haven’t won any of their last 4 games, but the good news is they lost only 1 game.
Ukraine is in 2nd place in this group with 4 points, 5 scored goals, and 5 conceded goals, and they will most likely get to the additional qualifications. In their game against Kazakhstan a few days ago, Ukraine was the better team with 59% of ball possession, 9 shots on goal, 4 corner kicks, 7 big chances created, and a solid 86% of the correct passes. Ukraine got ahead early, in the 2nd minute, but Kazakhstan tied the score in the 74th minute. Ukraine has scored another leading goal in the 93rd minute, and it seemed they will get all three points here, but they conceded another goal in the 95th minute, and this game has ended in a 2-2 draw. Offensively, Ukraine was fantastic in this match, but their defense was not focused, they were sloppy, and it cost them a lot. Yaremchuk is the leading goalscorer for Ukraine with 2 goals so far. I think it’s a mistake that Ukraine hasn’t extended the contract to Shevchenko, and we will see how the team will react to the new coach.
France is playing incredibly sloppy lately, going back to the Euro Cup, and they couldn’t beat Bosnia & Herzegovina earlier this week, at home. France has had 54% of ball possession, 2 shots on goal, 4 corner kicks, and a high 91% of the correct passes. France conceded first, in the 36th minute, but they were able to tie the score just 3 minutes later. France has also conceded a red card, and Kounde will miss this game because of it. The final score of this match was 1-1. France will also be without Mbappe for this game, and I think that might actually be a good thing for them. Griezmann is the leading goalscorer for France in these qualifications with 3 goals, while Dembele added 1 goal. France is at the top of the table in this group, and I think they will stay there despite their sloppy form, but they better get back on the winning track soon.
Neither team is playing consistent soccer, but France hasn’t lost any of their last 9 away games. Yes, Ukraine can create a ton of chances, and they can score goals, while France’s defense is not doing so well right now, but I still think France will get a nice win on the road.