- Ukraine U19 have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five matches, arriving on the back of a two-game winning streak.
- Italy U19 are unbeaten in five, picking up three wins and two draws from their last five games in all competitions.
Ukraine U19 can keep top spot with victory
Ukraine U19 have hit top form at the perfect time and can keep their position atop UEFA EURO U19 Group B 2026 with a win over bookies' favourites Italy U19 on Sunday.
With the Italians sitting second with four points from their opening two fixtures, Ukraine U19 will know that the group summit is on the line with semi-final spots and wider U20 World Cup qualification consequences on the cards.
Italy U19 are a well-drilled unit, setting up in a disciplined 4-3-3 system that is compact, can circulate the ball tidily and hit their opponents on the counter-attack, but lack the raw pressure of teams that have more of a 'press and chase' mentality.
Ukraine U19, on the other hand, are the ultimate ball-playing team that aim to dominate the field with a strong, mobile midfield, wide players that know where to go and mobile forwards that can score goals.
The last head-to-head meeting saw Ukraine U19 clinch a 3-2 success over Italy U19 in EURO U19 Group A 2024, so there is a history of close, late tension when these two meet.
Ukraine U19 have scored five times across their last five fixtures and Vitaliy Hlyut, with two goals in that time, is one of the sharpest finishers in a squad that can deliver.
Italy U19 are not bad going forward, but they have drawn one from one away and scored no goals on their travels in Group B so far, and that could be a small red flag in this clash.
The market seems to be favouring Italy U19 at 107/100, with Ukraine U19 and the draw both slightly longer at 131/50. That's probably right as Italy have a better squad on paper, but Ukraine U19's home advantage in the group and much hotter form makes the draw and double chance selections look good value.
Under 2.5 goals at 22/25 looks like a shrewd play too, as the both teams to score market is priced up close to evens and Italy's lack of away goals, as well as the underdog's need to stay compact in this battle, points to a tight, tense affair.
