Spain U-21s vs Ukraine U-21s predictions: La Rojita to fall short in Romania
- Spain and Ukraine drew 2-2 in the group stage of this tournament
- Spain had to go through extra-time in their quarter-final clash
- Recommended bet: Ukraine To Qualify
A place in the European Under-21s Championship final is at stake on Wednesday as Spain, who are chasing a record sixth title, face Ukraine at Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest.
It will be a case of deja vu for these two sides when they clash in Romania, having already played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in Group B at Stadionul Rapid-Giulesti, Bucharest.
Spain and Ukraine both collected seven points to take first and second respectively — La Rojita only grabbing top spot due to their marginally better goal difference — but the five-time champions may find themselves edged out this time.
Team news
Having been forced to play 120 minutes against Switzerland in the quarter-finals, Spain boss Santi Denia may decide to shuffle his pack and one player who is pushing for a start is Adrian Bernabe, who impressed when coming off the bench last time out.
Ukraine are without suspended forward Dmytro Kryskiv after he picked up his second yellow of the tournament last time out, with Danylo Sikan expected to be drafted into the starting XI.
The stats
Spain are on an 18-game unbeaten streak and they have only failed to score once during this impressive run of form, that blank coming in a 0-0 with France at the end of March.
After starting the tournament with back-to-back clean sheets, La Rojita have now conceded three goals in their last two outings, with two of those coming against Ukraine in the group stage.
Ukraine extended their unbeaten streak to six matches with the 3-1 win over France in the quarter-finals, securing their place in the last-four stage for the second time.
Both teams to score has landed in seven of Ukraine's last 10 assignments, while the same scenario has occurred in three of Spain's last five contests.
Prediction
There is no doubting the quality in Spain's squad but they have shown vulnerable signs during the tournament, notably in the draw against Ukraine and then the extra-time win over Switzerland.
Having to play that extra 30 minutes could have a big impact on Wednesday's meeting and La Rojita may come up short against a Ukraine side still buzzing from the impressive victory over France.
Ruslan Rotan's side are playing with real freedom and they have already proven they can match Spain in the group stage, so they have nothing to fear ahead of the second meeting in quick succession and can edge through in an entertaining affair.
