Despite the World Cup being held in November and December this year, we still have international football to enjoy this summer in the Nations League. On the 8th of June we have a meeting between Ireland and Ukraine in Nations League B, Group 1.
The match will be played at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin and the hosts are currently bottom of the group on 0 points, with Ukraine yet to play a game.
Squad Update | James Talbot called up for UEFA Nations League matchesGavin Bazunu has been ruled out of the matches with a back injury and the @bfcdublin goalkeeper comes in for the three remaining fixtures #COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/6ZTeTLT4Ux— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) June 6, 2022
Squad Update | James Talbot called up for UEFA Nations League matchesGavin Bazunu has been ruled out of the matches with a back injury and the @bfcdublin goalkeeper comes in for the three remaining fixtures #COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/6ZTeTLT4Ux
Ireland come into the match on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat in Armenia in their opening game of the group. Armenia scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute, with Ireland struggling to create many good goal scoring chances throughout the match.
Ireland would have been hoping for a better result having enjoyed some decent form entering their Nations League campaign.
Prior to the defeat in Armenia, Ireland were on an 8 match unbeaten run. During that time, Ireland beat Azerbaijan and Luxembourg 3-0 away in World Cup qualifying plus held Portugal to a 0-0 draw at home. Ireland also held Belgium to a draw in a friendly match at home.
However, Nations League form is poor and Ireland have failed to win any of their 11 Nations League fixtures. They have drawn 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 home Nations League games, seeing under 2.5 goals scored in each of those 5 fixtures on home soil.
Ukraine make the short trip from Cardiff to Dublin having suffered a hugely disappointing 1-0 loss to Wales in their World Cup playoff final.
Ukraine played well for periods of the match but found Wales to be in inspired form at the back. A deflected goal from a free kick was enough for Wales to book their place at the World Cup,
The defeat to Wales was the first loss for Ukraine in 10 matches in all competition. Their previous defeat also came against British opposition as England knocked them out of the European Championship.
In terms of the Nations League, Ukraine have recorded just a single win from their 5 most recent fixtures in the competition.
The win came at home against Spain but there have been defeats in Spain, Germany, and Switzerland plus at home against the Germans.
Trends show Ukraine have lost each of their last 4 away Nations League matches but the defeats came against superior opposition to Ireland.
Team news and Ireland are sure to make some changes following the loss in Armenia. Michael Obafemi, James McClean, Jason Knight, and Alan Browne could come into the starting XI.
Ukraine have had a tough schedule with World Cup qualifying playoff games and could make several changes. Sergey Sydorchuk, Mykola Shaparenko, Artem Dovbyk, and Mykhailo Mudryk are all expected to start.
Both teams need a win to boost morale following poor defeats last time out. It is fair to say Ireland have not been the most entertaining team to watch in the Nations League and their priority will be to keep a clean sheet in this match.
That is something they may be able to achieve against a downhearted Ukraine but scoring goals is another matter and this one could end 0-0.