The final European qualifier for the 2022 World Cup will be decided on Sunday as Ukraine head to Cardiff to meet Wales. Our sportsbook offers a great set of betting markets and future markets for the World Cup.
Let’s check the latest soccer news, stats, injury reports, and World Cup odds for Wales vs Ukraine. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider.
Wales: Well-Rested
Wales are 90 minutes away from booking their spot in the World Cup finals for just the second time after getting as far as the quarterfinals in 1958. A Wales side with many of their star players left on the bench was beaten 2-1 by Poland in the Nations League on the same night as Ukraine’s triumph over Scotland. It’s hardly a surprise that they would prioritize this game due to the fact that the winner gets a World Cup spot.
They are a strong team on home soil as they have strung together an impressive 18-game unbeaten run in front of their own fans since the defeat to Denmark in November 2018. They will welcome back Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Ben Davies, and Joe Allen after the quartet were spared in the defeat against Poland, and Joe Morrell is available after missing the semi-final through suspension while Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu are also prepared to return to the backline. If you’re betting online you should know that this is the most important game of the season for both sides.
Wales will play to their attacking strengths and take the game to their opponents and will have a passionate Cardiff crowd behind them for one of the biggest games in their history.
Ukraine: All-In
Ukraine were outstanding in Scotland, beating the hosts 3-1. Their players showed incredible composure and fantastic fighting spirit despite all the issues they are facing, smashing the rivals who were inferior on the pitch. They could have scored more registering eight shots on target but they failed to convert many of their clear-cut chances. They looked comfortable in possession with a serious threat posed on the counterattack. An emotionally drained Ukraine coach Oleksandr Petrakov declared in the press conference after the match that his team had been playing for all those struggling back home.
Goals from Andriy Yarmolenko and Roman Yaremchuk had put a confident and dominant Ukraine 2-0 up before Callum McGregor pulled a goal back for the Scots in the 79th minute while substitute Artem Dovbyk finished off a counterattack to secure the victory. That was their 11th match in a row without a defeat (five wins and six draws) with the note that four of the last five were wins. Though, three events were against club teams in friendly games.
They will now face Wales with the winner taking a place at November’s World cup soccer 2022 in Qatar. Ukraine will definitely have an offensive approach, there is no reason to think otherwise but the performance of Ukrainian goalkeeper Georgi Bushchan was far from convincing against Scotland and there is little confidence in them keeping a clean sheet because of it.
There’s obviously an incredible spirit among the Ukraine squad, but will that be enough to see them through? They may find things tougher against a Welsh side who are stronger than Scotland. Still, they enter have some incredible players inside their squad and on top of that, their morale is at high levels. That’s why we will include them in our soccer picks and parlays.
Wales vs Ukraine Head-to-Head
The defeat to Poland was the first meeting after nine straight in which the Welsh side ended up on the losing side. Since losing to Denmark in the round of 16 of the last EURO, Wales was unbeaten, recording four wins and five draws. Ukraine saw both teams scoring in 13 of their 18 games in 2021. Ukraine are unbeaten in 11 and have won four of their past five. Their recent win over Scotland showed both their quality and the extra special emotional side they’ve got in their squad at the moment.
Wales vs Ukraine Game Information
- Game: Wales (4-3-1) vs. Ukraine (2-6-0)
- Location: Cardiff City Stadium (Cardiff)
- Day/Time: Sunday, June 5, 12 p.m. ET
- Live Stream: Fubo TV
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Wales vs Ukraine Betting Lines
Wales pk -120 +180 2 -120o ½ -230o ½ +180u
Ukraine pk -110 +185 2 -110u ½ -230o ½ +180u
Draw +210
Wales vs Ukraine Predictions
Ukraine are priced at +180 on the three-way moneyline while Wales enter this clash at +175 with the latest soccer odds. The goal line is set at two.
While Wales should get a boost up front, there are defensive concerns for the hosts. Each of their last five games have seen both teams find the back of the net, while they’ve failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four at home. Wales is playing physical football, with lots of contacts and hard tackles so expect the cards line to go over.
This could be one of those memorable matches between two sides who are well aware of the importance of this clash and will enter this clash all guns blazing. They both struggle at the back but they have amazing attacking firepower. We will definitely back an entertaining match with at least three goals but for our official pick for this match, we will go with Ukraine. Ukraine have the whole world on their side here and they will look to harness that as they did against Scotland.
