Euro 2024: Romania and Ukraine Can Make It Interesting in Group E

Romania vs Ukraine

The contest between Romania and Ukraine shouldn’t be overlooked even if most eyes are going to be on the matchup between Belgium and Slovakia as far as Group E is concerned.

This Monday match at the Allianz Arena pits together two nations that are looking to make noise here in Euro 2024, as most SBOTOP football fans have low expectations for them in this competition.

Romania made it back to the Euros by dominating the qualifiers without losing a single game to top their group. Meanwhile, Ukraine had to go through the play-offs to qualify for Germany.

A win here would put them a step closer to the knockout phase, so expect Romania and Ukraine to bring their A-game.

Continue to read below to learn more about these two underdogs.

 

Talking Points

Dragusin should use the Euros as a springboard

One of the Romanian players to look out for in the Euros is Radu Dragusin, who enters the tournament with a chip on his shoulder.

The 22-year-old centre-back was the most expensive Romanian footballer after he was brought in by Tottenham from Genoa for a €31 million transfer fee in January, but things haven’t gone according to plan in his Premier League experience thus far.

Dragusin has only made nine appearances for Spurs, which is less than half of the games he played for Genoa in the first half of the 2023-24 campaign. The reason he played sporadically is because he is behind Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero in Ange Postecoglou’s depth chart at centre half.

Tottenham have shown no intention to sell him, so Dragusin will have the Euros as his stepping stone to prove his worth.

Before joining Spurs, Dragusin was one of the best centre-backs in Serie A, as he once led Genoa in minutes played (1,710) and headed clearances (45), and only once did an opponent successfully dribble past him. He was also ranked second in duels won (88), duel success (67-per cent), and blocks (12).

Other than Dragusin, Ukraine would have to be wary of veteran forwards Nicolae Stanciu and George Puscas, as both of them will lead Edward Iordanescu’s frontline.

 

Mykolenko a doubt for Ukraine

Ukraine are the better team on paper than Romania because they are loaded with La Liga and Premier League stalwarts.

Andriy Lunin has been solid between the sticks for Real Madrid this season, while Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mykhailo Mudryk, Roman Yaremchuk, and the duo of Artem Dovbyk and Viktor Tsyhankov have played regularly for Arsenal, Chelsea, Valencia, and Girona, respectively, this year.

However, there’s a huge possibility that Ukraine might be missing the services of one of their key players, as Vitaliy Mykolenko, one of the team’s tenured members, is listed as questionable to play on Monday.

The Everton left-back was forced off in their final warm-up game against Moldova due to an ankle injury, and he is facing a race against time to prove his fitness. If Mykolenko doesn’t make it, expect Serhiy Rebrov to ask Oleksandr Zinchenko to fill the vacated starting left-back spot.

 

History

Romania and Ukraine will have their first-ever competitive meeting on Monday. Before this, they faced off in six friendlies.

Unfortunately for Romania, they didn’t win their last three exhibition matches against Ukraine (D1, L2), including a 4-3 defeat in May 2016.

Seven players found the back of the net in the said contest, as Roman Zozulya, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Yevhen Konoplyanska, and Andriy Yarmolenko scored for Ukraine, while Gabriel Torje, Denis Alibec, and Nicolae Stanciu scored for Romania.

Ukraine are playing in their fourth consecutive Euros, including a quarter-finals run in 2020, while Romania are back after an eight-year hiatus.

 

Betting Tip

The Euro 2024 odds expect Ukraine to get off to a good start with an opening win over Romania on Monday. The Blue and Yellows are priced at 2.05 to win, but the Tricolorii aren’t far behind at 3.66, and a draw is at 3.21 in the 1X2 market.

Despite the collective talent between Romania and Ukraine, we believe that Euro 2024 highlights will only come a few and far between on Monday, making for a low-scoring game. With that said, you may want to check out bets like Under 2.25 at 1.94, Under 2.00 at 2.31, or Total Goal 0-1 at 2.86. A Correct Score of 1-0 should do the trick for Ukraine, and it is on offer at 6.00. If it’s the other way around, then you’ll get a slightly higher payout of 9.40.

   

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