The Ukrainian Premier League enters its third round this weekend, featuring several key matches that could impact the standings. Fans can expect exciting games and strategic battles as teams strive to improve their positions. Here’s a preview of the matches, including team form, head-to-head statistics, bookmaker odds, and where to watch the games on UPL TV.
Chornomorets will face Kolos at the Chornomorets Stadium to kick off the third round. Neither team has secured a victory yet this season. Chornomorets has suffered two losses, both by 1-0 against Zorya and Kryvbas, while Kolos has drawn both of its matches, 2-2 against Obolon and 1-1 against Ingulets.
Historically, Kolos holds a slight edge with three wins over Chornomorets’ two, and the teams have drawn twice. Last season, Kolos won 2-0 at home, but Chornomorets claimed a 1-0 victory in their home fixture. The match starts at 15:30, and it will be broadcast on UPL TV. Bookmakers have set Kolos’ odds at 2.07 for a win, Chornomorets at 3.95, and a draw at 3.4.
On Friday, Vorskla Poltava will take on Obolon Kyiv. Vorskla bounced back from a loss to Shakhtar with a 3-0 win against Left Bank, ending a five-game winless streak away from home. Artem Chelyadin, Vorskla’s midfielder, marked his 100th UPL appearance and scored his fifth goal of the season. In contrast, Obolon suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Rukh, with goalkeeper Oleksandr Rybka missing 10 out of 13 penalty kicks in the UPL.
The teams have faced each other three times recently, with Vorskla winning all three encounters. The match is scheduled for 18:00, with Vorskla slightly favored with odds of 2.1. A draw is at 3.2, and Obolon’s win odds are 3.8.
On Saturday, Zorya Luhansk will play Oleksandriya. Zorya remains unbeaten after securing a last-minute win against Ingulets and another victory over Chornomorets. Eduardo Guerrero, Zorya’s striker, has scored 15 UPL goals. Oleksandriya also won its previous match, defeating LNZ 2-0. They missed one game due to their coach’s absence with the Olympic team.
The two teams have met 44 times, with Zorya winning 10 matches to Oleksandriya’s 8, and there have been 8 draws. Last season, Zorya won 2-0 in their home fixture, while the other match ended in a 0-0 draw. This game kicks off at 13:00. Bookmakers offer odds of 2.3 for Zorya to win, 3.4 for a draw, and 3.4 for Oleksandriya.
Another match on Saturday features Polissia against Ingulets. Polissia, unbeaten this season, recently defeated Shakhtar 1-0. The match also saw a notable altercation and a substantial bonus from Polissia’s president, Gennadiy Butkevich. Ingulets has had a mixed start, losing to Zorya and drawing with Kolos. This will be their first meeting in UPL history, with the game starting at 15:30. Bookmakers favor Polissia with odds of 1.7, a draw at 3.7, and Ingulets at 5.5.
The final Saturday match is between Karpaty Lviv and Dynamo Kyiv. Dynamo Kyiv has had a busy season, including Champions League qualifiers. They won their previous UPL match against Veres 2-1. Karpaty managed a draw against Veres and a 3-0 victory over Kryvbas. The latter match was notable for a post-game scandal involving coaches. Dynamo Kyiv and Karpaty have never met in recent history. Dynamo Kyiv is heavily favored with odds of 1.4, a draw at 4.8, and Karpaty at 7.8. The match starts at 18:00.
On Sunday, LNZ Cherkasy will face Rukh Vynnyky. LNZ recently lost to Oleksandriya after a win over Left Bank. Rukh, having missed the first round, had a remarkable 4-0 victory against Obolon. The teams have met twice before, with each winning once. This match starts at 15:30. Bookmakers offer nearly equal odds, with LNZ at 2.7, Rukh at 2.6, and a draw at 3.5.
Lastly, Veres Rivne will host Kryvbas. Veres recently ended a five-game unbeaten home streak with a loss to Dynamo Kyiv. Kryvbas also lost their previous match to Karpaty. Historically, Kryvbas has won three out of five encounters since their return. This match is scheduled for 15:30.
Shakhtar Donetsk will face Livyi Bereh in the final match of the round. Shakhtar recently ended a nine-game winning streak with a loss to Polissia, while Livyi Bereh has yet to earn any points and suffered a loss in the Ukrainian Cup. This will be their first meeting. The game starts at 18:00, with Shakhtar heavily favored with odds of 1.16, a draw at 8.6, and Livyi Bereh at 19.
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