As is the case with many of the matches at Euro 2020, Ukraine’s clash with Austria is a must-win for both teams as they look to avoid the lottery of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams.
Holland secured their place in the knockout stages with their 2-0 win over the Austrians in Amsterdam, earlier this week. But David Alaba and his teammates will be looking to halt Andriy Shevchenko’s aspirations of helping Ukraine to their first-ever European Championship knockouts.
Ukraine currently sit above Austria based on goals scored, and if the two teams can’t be separated that could prove to be crucial in the complexion of who finishes as runners-up.
Andriy Yarmolenko is just six goals away from levelling with Shevchenko as Ukraine’s all-time leading goalscorer. He, as well as, Roman Yaremchuk both have two goals each in the tournament and are currently flirting with the run-in for the Golden Boot, currently lead by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Oleksandr Zubkov picked up an injury against the Netherlands and is a doubt ahead of the Group C finale.
Marko Arnautovic could feature for the Austrian’s after he missed the defeat to Holland following his suspension by UEFA for his celebration during their 3-1 win over North Macedonia, which appeared to be directed at Gjanni Alioski and Egzon Bejtulai.
It will be the first match between the two since 2012 in which Austria won 3-2 in an international friendly, a year earlier, Ukraine came out on top with a 2-1 win.
How to watch Ukraine vs Austria
Ukraine and Austria will be shown on ITV4 and also available to be streamed live on the ITV Hub.
It will kick-off at 5pm BST with coverage starting from 4:15pm.
Who is in charge?
The 44-year-old Cuneyt Cakir will be in charge of the must-win match between the two.
Previously the referee of the 2015 Champions League final between Juventus and Barcelona, the Turkish referee was in charge of Portugal’s 3-0 win over Hungary on matchday one of the tournament, awarding a penalty late on after Rafa was brought down.
It will be the third Austria match he has taken charge of, the most recent came during a 1-0 win over Slovenia.
For Ukraine, it will be their fifth match with Cakir as the match official but their first in six years where they drew 1-1 with Slovenia in the Euro 2016 playoffs but were ultimately knocked out on away goals.
What has been said?
Ukraine shot-stopper Georgiy Bushchan said: “We haven’t done anything to make people too proud of us just yet. Love and hate are just a step apart. It’s great we gave [our fans] some excitement but now we have to prepare for our final [group] match with cool heads.”
Austria manager Franco Foda told UEFA.com: “We have it in our hands to reach the round of 16. Marko Arnautović will be back for our ‘final’ against Ukraine. We will be ready.”
Who will win Euro 2020? Have your say in the comment below
Odds
Ukraine – 13/5
Draw – Evens
Austria – 11/4
*Odds are supplied by Grosvenor Sport and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
