Prediction: Ukraine vs Sweden

Prediction: Ukraine to win 1-0

Best Odds: 7/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Ukraine and Sweden will face each other in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA second round. The tie between Serhiy Rebrov’s side and Graham Potter’s team will be held at Estadi Ciutat de València in Valencia and is scheduled to kick off at 7:45pm UK time on Thursday.

Ukraine

Ukraine will head into the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoff semi-final tie against Sweden as favourites. The Blue and Yellow are in better form and deserved to be in the situation, given that they played all of their ‘home’ matches in the qualifying campaign in other nations.

Serhiy Rebrov’s side lost only twice during the World Cup qualifying, and both came against France. This shows just how good Ukraine were in their group.

Ahead of the match, Rebrov said: “We have to do something for our people. They deserve this. 

“I’m sure our players will fight on the pitch, show character, show everything just to be there. 

“It’s really important to our country just to be represented at the World Cup.”

Rebrov added: “We’ve watched a lot of Sweden’s recent matches.

“Yes, Sweden lost, but they never had their best team available during the qualifiers. The same goes for us, in the end. 

“The attacking players they have are very strong, and tomorrow’s match will be very tough for us.”

Team News:

Ukraine are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Sweden. Trubin will be in goal and will have Tymchyk, Zabarnyi, Svatok and Mykolenko in front of him in defence. Yarmolyuk, Kalyuzhnyi and Sudakov will be the three midfielders. Hutsuliak, Vanat and Zubkov will lead the line for Ukraine.

Sweden

Sweden have a very strong team, but they have been poor in recent games, and there is no surprise that Ukraine are the favourites heading into the tie.

It will be a big game for Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres, who will feature for Sweden under manager Graham Potter for the first time.

Gyokeres said: “It’s more positive, but, of course, it’s been a few months since then.

“We’ve tried to put it behind us and focus on this match we have here, and hopefully another one in Stockholm in a few days.

“It’s different with Graham and all the other new members of the coaching staff. It’s easier to put the games from last autumn behind us.

“Plus, we have a good chance of reaching the World Cup.”

The Arsenal striker added: “I don’t think about it too much. When you play so many important games, you focus on just trying to do your best.

“As a striker, you always want to go out and score goals. The match is extremely important. It’s a tough match. It could be a match where not many chances are created.

“That’s what counts. We’ll try to go in and get the momentum we want and create good chances.”

Team News:

Sweden are likely to line up in a 4-4-2 formation against Ukraine. Nordfeldt will be in goal for Sweden and will have Lagerbielke, Hien, Lindelff and Svensson in front of him in defence. Lundgren, Bergvall, Ayari and Elanga will be the four midfielders. Bardghji and Gyokeres will be the two centre-forwards.

Key Factors to Consider

• Ukraine have won 3 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
• Ukraine have lost 1 and drawn 1 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
• Ukraine have scored 10 goals and conceded 1 goal in their last 5 matches in all competitions.
• Sweden have lost 4 and drawn one of their last 5 games in all competitions.
• Sweden have scored 2 goals and conceded 10 goals in their last 5 games in all competitions.

Conclusion

Ukraine are in better form than Sweden and should be able to eke out a narrow 1-0 win and progress to the final.

Prediction: Ukraine to win 1-0

Best Odds: 7/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet