Ukraine vs Northern Ireland — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.25: Both of these teams can live with a tie, and that is the heart of this one. Ukraine and Northern Ireland are level on four points at the top of the group with the same goal difference, so neither has to force the game. Northern Ireland are the tighter side by a long way. They let in under a goal a game across their last 13, and only 4 of those games had 3 or more goals in them. Their games average just over 2 goals in total. Ukraine are not firing either. They have scored once in their two group games so far, and they get just over a goal a game across their last 15. The recent meetings back it up. Neither of the last two went past 2 goals. This game is on neutral ground in Trnava, so there is no crowd lifting Ukraine and no home advantage for either side. Northern Ireland will sit in and make the pitch feel small, even without the injured Dan Ballard. A 1-1 is the likeliest result, and that is exactly the shape we want. The risk is that there is no room to spare. One more goal turns this bet. Northern Ireland also let in more than a goal a game when they are away from home, and Ukraine have a fully fit squad with Vitaliy Mykolenko back. We still back the quiet game here.