- Head-to-head: Polissya Zhytomyr have won one, Metalist 1925 none, and one match ended in a draw in the last two meetings between the two clubs.
- Recent form: Metalist 1925 have won three of their last five matches, drawing the other two.
- Away form: Polissya Zhytomyr have won two and lost one of their last three away games.
An intriguing matchup between two high-flying sides
League positions and odds
Polissya Zhytomyr are currently third in the Premier League, with 49 points from 25 matches, and Metalist 1925 are fifth in the table, with the same number of matches played but four fewer points.
Both sides have had impressive campaigns in the Premier League so far, and Polissya have performed exceptionally well when playing away from home.
The odds of 3.0 for a draw here look a bit short, but there is no doubting the two teams will nullify each other and there is likely to be no more than a one goal difference in the final result. Under 2.5 goals is available at 1.46 and both teams to score - No at 1.65.
Players and tactics
Polissya will look to keep it tight at the back and spring forward on the break, with Oleksiy Hutsuliak in fine form in the forward line, having scored four goals in his last five appearances.
Ruslan Rotan’s side, who he took over in June 2025, play a compact, organised and sturdy style of soccer, looking to make it difficult for their opponents and then transition quickly when out of possession.
Rotan’s tactical prowess has seen his team thrive on the road, with Polissya winning nine and losing just three of their 12 away games so far.
Mladen Bartulovic has seen his side win seven, draw three and lose two of their 12 home matches in the Premier League, winning each of their last three at home.
Bartulovic, who took over Metalist in June 2025, has employed a high tempo, possession-based style of play, with the team pressing high and looking to overload wide areas to break the lines. Metalist have only conceded five goals in their 12 home games, however, so have been tough to break through.
- Hutsuliak has four goals in his recent five appearances, while Metalist’s leading scorer Peter Itodo has eight in 21 appearances.
- Itodo has found the back of the net four times in his side’s last five, however, and is a real threat up front for Metalist.
Metalist to edge a low-scoring game
The clash of styles in this one should ensure a pretty close game, with both teams cancelling each other out and the draw looking the most likely outcome.
A low-scoring affair is expected, with at least one team keeping a shutout, so under 2.5 goals is the main bet.
