Read our prediction for Ukraine U20 vs Italy U20 below. This preview was written by a sport journalist who is specialised in betting tips and predictions. Use our betting tips for the match between Ukraine U20 vs Italy U20 and you can increase your winnings!
Ukraine U20 vs Italy U20 Prediction & Betting tips
The U20 World Championship in Poland bends to the finish line – the big final will be on Saturday and before the two finalists are determined, it’s clear that a new winner will celebrate the 22nd World Cup in this age group. None of the four semi-finalists has ever been able to lift the trophy, for Ukraine and Ecuador even the semi-final is the best ever in the history of U20 World Championships. But the other two semi-finalists from South Korea and Italy have never reached the final at a U20 World Cup. The first finalist will be determined early Tuesday evening in the European duel between Ukraine and Italy!
The Eastern Europeans had no one on the bill before the tournament started and in the top ten of the favorites Ukraine did not appear anywhere. However, the team of head coach Oleksandr Petrakov was able to convince with a strong defensive and had to settle for only a draw against Nigeria in the first round. In the last sixteen, the higher rated “Los Cafeteros” from Colombia were defeated. Even more convincing were the recent appearances of the Italian offspring, who shot out of the tournament in the quarterfinals African Champion Mali. In the first semi-final between Ukraine and Italy relatively balanced odds are offered, but a slight favorite role is granted to the Italian offspring. Ankick for the first semi-final is on Tuesday at 16:30.
Ukraine:
So far, the Ukrainian U20 selection at the World Championships has been extremely consistent and reached both the debut in 2001, as well as in 2005 and 2015 respectively the round of 16. This year, the Petrakov-Eleven could then decide for the first time a knockout duel. With the blatant underdog from Panama, however, the Eastern Europeans had probably the simplest lot in the entire round of the last sixteen. Accordingly, it was difficult to evaluate the performance of Ukrainians from this game.
The clear victory, however, gave confidence and against Colombia Ukraine scored the opening goal early on, when Ukraine could exploit a misunderstanding ice cold. After this scoring Ukraine left the South Americans the ball, which, however, found no means against the structured defensive. Opportunities were de facto non-existent. The Ukraine tried to be dangerous by switching quickly and was despite 40% possession of the ball much closer to the second goal. The strong defensive could convince, although head coach Petrakov had to give up his big star. Goalkeeper Andrii Lunin (Real Madrid, awarded to Leganes) was not available, the youngster was appointed for the senior team and thus had to leave the tournament early. Instead of the star was the completely unknown Vladyslav Kucheruk in the case. The strong Ukraine, however, allowed only a few opportunities and thus he experienced a relatively quiet game and had to save only once in distress. Nevertheless, the loss of Lunin is a bitter weakening for the Europeans, especially against a playful, strong-stronging team, as it is Italy.
No one would have expected Ukraine in the semifinals of this World Cup. Although Europeans have not acted as “giant slaughterers”, bookmakers now have great respect and between Ukraine and Italy the odds of a victory for Ukraine are only slightly higher than those of a tip for an Italian victory.
Italy :
France, Portugal, Argentina, Uruguay and Nigeria – according to the bookmakers, these five teams – sometimes significantly – were rated higher than the Italian offspring. A world title of the Italian eleven would have before the tournament still quotas of up to a 15.00 brought. Meanwhile, the team of head coach Paolo Nicolato is the big tournament favorite. It had to beat Italy in 2018 at the U19 European Championship only in extra time in the final.
The Azzurrini – as the offspring of Italy is often called – was able to teach the bookmakers in the tournament so far but a better and convinced over long distances with extremely sovereign performances. The defensive is almost the traditional strength of an Italian national team. Goalkeeper Alessandro Plizzari – who is compared to Gianluigi Donnarumma in his homeland – is a rock-solid and has been playing a tough World Cup so far. In the group stage, there was only one goal, also the knockout round Italy could decide against hosts Poland without conceding. Only in the eagerly awaited quarter-final against African champions Mali Plizzarri had to grab two times behind. The two conceded Italy had to accept in excess, because you acted almost 70 minutes with a man more. Nevertheless, a highly exciting and entertaining game developed in which only in the finish numerical superiority was the decisive factor in favor of Italy. Thanks to a double within a few seconds, Italy prevailed 4: 2 and underpin the role of favorites. Andrea Pinamonti was with his goals three and four of the outstanding man. Pinamonti has a year in Serie A experience in the legs and is next to Plizzarri as the big star of the team.
For the second time in a row, Italy are in the semi-finals of a U20 World Cup and the first final is close enough to touch. Qualitatively, the southern Europeans are stronger, the achievements have been more impressive so far. Quite surprisingly, between the Ukraine and Italy, the odds on the victory of Italy in the regular season. Many unanticipated results at the U20 World Cup will probably leave the bookmakers wary and, accordingly, there are more balanced odds. But with this starting position a value with the tip on the Azzurrini is certainly to be discovered.