- Form: Croatia U19 have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five games.
- Away form: Ukraine U19 have won two, drawn one and lost two away.
- Home record: Croatia U19 have won five and lost two of their seven home games in all competitions since the start of last year, conceding just 0.86 goals per game on average.
Ukraine U19 can play their part in a good game
Form and odds
Croatia U19 have had the edge over Ukraine U19 in the early odds for Monday's Group B match in the 2026 UEFA EURO U19 Championship, but the visitors have enough recent form to suggest they can play their part in what could be a good contest.
Style and recent matches
Siniša Oreščanin's side are a patient, structured team, more likely to get the ball and control possession in the centre of the field and play through their spine than to play on the counter or with a high-tempo.
They've had a mixed-but-useful few games coming into this tournament, most notably recording a 1-1 draw away to France U19 in the UEFA U19 Championship Qualification – Elite Round and a 0-2 home loss to England U19 in the UEFA U19 Championship Qualification League A.
They've improved their home form of late, winning three and losing one of their last four on Croatian soil, and Ukraine U19 have travelled respectably, going 2-1-2 away and averaging 1.80 goals scored per game and 1.00 goals conceded per away match.
Goals seem likely given contrasting styles
Ukraine U19 are the more vertical and high-tempo team of the two with their game based around switching the play quickly and getting players into the wide areas. That could lead to a chess match of control versus transition, where Croatia aim to control the pace and Ukraine aim to break fast into space and punish the home team when they are out of position.
With a 2-1 style result coming in nicely within the point spread, we're taking the hosts to eke out a win in a lively game.
- The match odds suggest the hosts are a little bit better, but 2.28 for Croatia U19 is too low given Ukraine U19 are 3.29 for the win and the tie is 3.39.
- Our preference in the market is to take the odds and goals, so we're going for Over 2.5 at 1.79 and BTTS: Yes at 1.61.
- Ukraine U19 have won three, drawn one and lost only one of their last five in all competitions, so Croatia U19 are coming into this as only slightly better than Ukraine and the numbers don't look like a mismatch.
