Belgium vs Ukraine Prediction (11pm June 26): Waiting for Lukaku to shine

Group E of Euro 2024 is getting tense as Belgium, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine all have 3 points. The fate of the teams will be decided in the final round and no one wants to make even the smallest mistake.

With the current situation, Slovakia and Romania are quite relaxed because just a draw will get them into the round of 16. Belgium also has a similar mentality while Ukraine is at the biggest disadvantage in terms of goal difference and a draw will put them at risk of finishing bottom of the group.

Belgium showed their strength when they defeated Romania 2-0 (Photo: UEFA).

Therefore, Ukraine will enter the match against Belgium with the mentality of winning to decide their own fate. That is the reason why the match at Mercedes Benz Arena promises to be tense, attractive and unpredictable.

As a big team, Belgium certainly did not enter the match with a draw mentality. The "Red Devils" needed a win to secure the top spot in Group E and avoid falling into the semi-final bracket of big opponents such as Germany, Spain, and Portugal.

After a shocking 0-1 defeat to Slovakia, Belgium regained their position after a 2-0 victory over Romania. Two goals from Tielemans and De Bruyne were just the concretization of the "Red Devils" overwhelming performance against Romania.

Ukraine were disappointed with a 3-0 defeat to Romania in their opening match of Euro 2024, but they bounced back with a surprise 2-1 win over Slovakia. It was a match where Ukraine were outplayed throughout, but a second-half explosion with goals from Mykola Shaparenko and Roman Yaremchuk changed the game.

However, Ukraine still has many weaknesses in defense and they are rated much lower when compared to Belgium. The Eastern European representative still expects a lot of counter-attack situations, but they do not have a solid defense line.

Ukraine caused a surprise when they won 2-1 against Slovakia (Photo: UEFA).

Belgium will certainly play an attacking game against Ukraine and fans will be expecting a lot from striker Romelu Lukaku. The AS Roma star has had goals ruled out by VAR three times and he will be hoping things will be different against Ukraine.

With the pressure off, Belgium will play differently against a pressured Ukraine. The trio of Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard will play behind striker Lukaku while Tielemans and Onana will be responsible for distributing the ball in midfield.

Ukraine is expecting a lot from Zinchenko's attacks on the left wing as well as the finishing ability of strikers Yarmolenko, Dovbyk, Mudryk. However, coach Rebrov is worried about the quality of the defense when Zabarnyi, Matvienko are not on par with Lukaku, De Bruyne.

If they play at their best, Belgium can absolutely win 3 points against Ukraine to aim for the top spot in Group E. This is an opportunity for coach Domenico Tedesco's team to demonstrate their ambition as a candidate for the Euro 2024 championship.

Expected lineup

Ukraine : Trubin; Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko; Sudakov, Zinchenko, Shaparenko; Yarmolenko, Dovbyk, Mudryk.

Belgium: Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Onana; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; Lukaku.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/nhan-dinh-bi-ukraine-23h-ngay-266-cho-lukaku-toa-sang-20240625151927635.htm