Slovakia vs Ukraine Prediction: Ukraine may be eliminated if they don't get any point from this game

When Slovakia plays Ukraine at Düsseldorf Arena on Friday in the UEFA European Championship group stage, they'll be looking to maintain their unbeaten start. On June 17, Slovakia defeated Belgium 1-0 in their first-ever group-stage match for Euro 2024. In their last four games across all competitions, they have not lost. They have three wins, one tie, and one loss in their five games this season. In Ukraine's inaugural Euro 2024 match, which took place on June 17 at Fußball Arena München, they lost 3-0 to Romania. They have three wins, one draw, and two losses in 2024. 

With three points, Slovakia is ranked second in the group, while Ukraine is ranked fourth with zero points. Romania is leading the group with three points. Belgium is in third place with no points. In their most recent meeting, Slovakia prevailed 4-1 at CITY ARENA - Štadión Antona Malatinského in a UEFA Nations League league match in November 2018. In the sixth minute, Juraj Kucka gave the Slovak team the lead. Róbert Mak, Adam Zrelák, and Kucka were also listed on the scorecard. 

Ukraine is searching for their first goal of the Euro 2024 campaign. Slovakia has been keeping clean sheets lately; in the last 342 minutes of play in all competitions, they have not allowed a goal. Norway became the final team to score on the Slovak side in a March friendly. Slovakia has won four, drawn one, and lost one of their last six games in all competitions. During that time, the Slovak team scored 12 goals and gave up 4 goals, winning three of the six games. While their opponents scored twice in the first forty-five minutes, they had five goals in the first half. 

In their last six games, the Ukrainian team has won three, drawn one, and lost two. During that time, the Ukrainian team scored nine goals and let up eight, scoring first in one of the six games. While their opponents scored five goals before halftime, they had three in the first half.

Slovakia will undoubtedly be aiming for second place in Group E, but they might make it to the Euro 2024 knockout phase with a solid third-place showing. Slovakia participated in Euro 2020 but was knocked out in the first round. Slovakia's best-ever finish in the competition came in the last-16 of the 2016 European Championship.

Coming into their opening match of 2024 at Euro, they won both of their friendly matches, 4-0 over Wales and San Marino. With only one loss in their previous seven games across all competitions, Francesco Calzona's team finished second in their European Championship qualifying group, one point behind Portugal, with 22 points from ten games.

Slovakia will be looking for their first-ever victory over Belgium on Monday. The last time the two teams faced off in an international friendly was in February 2013.

Having lost out on Qatar 2022, Ukraine is currently participating in the UEFA continental championship for the fourth time in a row, albeit they have not always performed well. The Ukrainians have lost eight of their 11 games thus far and have not scored in six of their nine group stage matches; but, three years prior, they advanced to the quarterfinals.

After narrowly missing out on a spot in the finals, the war-torn country is hoping for a similar outcome this time around to boost morale back home. They had to rely on a playoff position gained by their previous UEFA Nations League performance after finishing third in qualification behind England and Italy. Serhiy Rebrov's team then managed to overcome Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iceland with the help of two late goals.

Rebrov is managing in his first big competition. The former striker for Tottenham Hotspur will be experiencing his first taste of the European Championship because he was not present at any throughout his great playing career. While Ukraine conceded three goals in the first half-hour of their 3-1 loss to Euro 2012 co-host Poland, the build-up results have been uneventful. A goalless draw away to Germany was followed by a 4-0 thrashing of Moldova, which raised spirits ahead of Monday's opening match.

After their lacklustre showing against Romania, Ukraine will be eager to put up a better show, but their group stage record at the European Championship gives little reason for optimism—they have only won two of their past ten group games (L8).

Slovakia, who have a strong defence as evidenced by their tenacious performance against Belgium, can hold Ukraine to a draw or even win. Slovakia has won four straight games.