Verdict: France U21 win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster

With a European Championship semi-final ticket up for grabs on Sunday night, France will meet Ukraine at the Cluj Arena this weekend.

France U21

Starting with France, while France might have signed off 2022 with a brief wobble, the European giants have come roaring back in some style. Along with opening their summer adventure with an eye-catching 2-1 win against Italy on June 22nd, Les Bleus won each of their three Group D appearances and have certainly laid down a real marker. Looking to get their hands on a first European Championship crown since 1988, Sylvain Ripoll’s squad should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. In fact, along with signing off their Group D romp with a stellar 4-1 victory against Switzerland earlier in the week, France have now won each of their last four straight appearances across all competitions. Likewise, suffering just a single loss from any of their previous 20 matchups across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to May 2021 – Les Bleus will feel that they have a real chance on Sunday night.

Team News

Suffering what looks like it could be a long-term hamstring injury last week, Crystal Palace star Michael Olise will miss out on Sunday night. 23-year-old Lyon starlet Maxence Caqueret should keep his spot in the heart of Ripoll’s midfield here.

While Bradley Barcola might have now notched two European strikes this season, the 20-year-old could be replaced in attack by Rennes’ Arnaud Kalimuendo.

Ukraine U21

As for Ukraine, although Ruslan Rotan’s squad might have opened their summer adventure tipped as an outside contender to punch a knockout stage ticket, the Yellows have continued to impress many across the continent. Opening their European Championship campaign with a stellar 2-0 win against Croatia on June 21st, the Young Men breezed their way to the knockout stage without breaking much of a sweat. Signing off their Group B romp with an action-packed 2-2 draw against former champions Spain, Rotan’s side have enjoyed a hugely impressive flurry on either side of opening 2023. Yet to taste a single European Championship defeat this summer, Ukraine have suffered just a single loss from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 3-2 qualifying defeat against Slovakia nine months ago. However, although the Yellows might be riding a real wave of momentum, Rotan’s squad will be more than aware that they face a real challenge on Sunday night.

Team News

While 20-year-old Georgiy Sudakov might have made an eye-catching second-half cameo appearance against Spain earlier in the week, the Shakhtar Donetsk starlet will likely have to settle for another spot on the bench here.

After serving a one-match suspension in midweek, Dynamo Kyiv defender Vladyslav Vanat could make a full return on Sunday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met on qualifying duties 12 months ago, France and Ukraine played out a remarkable 3-3 draw.
• Les Bleus have only lost one of their nine meetings against Sunday’s fellow quarter-finalists.
• France have suffered just a single loss from any of their previous 20 matchups across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to May 2021.
• Including a lively 2-2 draw against Spain earlier in the week, Ukraine have scored over 1.5 goals in four of their last five matchups across all competitions.
• Just the last two meetings between France and Ukraine have produced 11 goals between both sides.

Conclusion

While Ukraine might be enjoying their own famous summer flurry, Rotan’s record-breakers certainly face a heavyweight challenge on Sunday night. Watching Les Bleus sign off their group stage adventure with a stellar 4-1 romp against Switzerland, the European giants have made a major statement so far. Winning each of their three Group D showdowns by an aggregate score of 7-2, France have also continued on a remarkable purple patch over recent times. Suffering just a single loss from any of their previous 20 straight matchups across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to May 2021 – we are expecting Ripoll’s squad to punch their semi-final ticket this weekend.

Verdict: France U21 win

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster