Ukraine v Austria betting tips: Bucharest battle to determine second spot
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The biggest Group C game on Monday night takes place in Bucharest where Ukraine and Austria are both likely to qualify with a draw.
Both teams are on three points but Ukraine will secure second place with a win or draw while only a victory will do to bag the runners-up spot for Austria, who are are 13/5 to pick up three points in Romania.
The teams are meeting in a competitive fixture for the first time so let’s examine some of the markets and odds in our Ukraine v Austria betting tips.
Match Odds
Ukraine got their first win on the board with a 2-1 victory against North Macedonia despite Ruslan Malinovskyi having a late penalty saved and they are 11/5 to beat Austria and qualify for the knockout stage of the European Championship for the first time.
Austria produced an insipid display in a 2-0 defeat by Netherlands, which was the first Group C match not to have goals at both ends.
A draw is likely to see both countries qualify for the last 16 with four points and that outcome is available at 10/11.
However, Ukraine coach Andriy Shevchenko has hinted his team will continue to adopt an attacking approach as they did in their first two games when he said “you won’t go far with such a mentality”.
Austria coach Franco Foda was also adamant his team will not settle for a draw and set his sights on finishing in second place.
He said: “We don’t know yet if four points would be enough. It’s important we go into the game from the first minute with the absolute intention of winning the game. That’s our job.
“Then we will need to see how the game develops over 90 minutes and, as a coach, take influence and decisions with regards to substitutions.”
Talking Tactics
Austria’s insistence on playing a high line ultimately cost them the chance of earning a draw as Donyell Malen broke clear and selflessly squared the ball to Denzel Dumfries to put the result beyond doubt, so it remains to be seen whether coach Franco Foda will continue with that tactic.
The Austrians never threatened to get back into the game once they had conceded an early penalty although they looked better when captain David Alaba came out of defence and played in a more advanced role.
Ukraine are likely to stick with a 4-3-3 formation in which Andriy Yarmolenko and Malinovskyi play either side of main striker Roman Yaremchuk.
Goalscorer Odds
Yarmolenko and Yaremchuk have scored in both group games and they are 5/1 to get the ball rolling or 3/1 to score any time while Malinovskyi is 9/1 and 5/1.
Marko Arnautovic returns from suspension to lead the Austria attack after he was banned for one game for insulting a North Macedonia player moments after scoring.
The former West Ham striker is also 5/1 and 3/1 in the same markets.
Match Info
Where: National Arena, Bucharest
When: 17:00, Monday 21st June
How to watch: ITV
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
