Poltava - Kharkiv. Oleksandr Shovkovsky's forecast for the UPL match
One of the central matches of the second round of the Premier League will take place in Zhytomyr, where "Polissya" will host "Kharkiv".
Ruslan Rotan's team did not have the most spectacular transfer campaign. Maxim Bragaru and Georgiy Bushchan were bought out, while Oleksiy Hutsulyak, who left, was replaced by the more expensive Leandro Andrade. Andrush Araujo is supposed to add competition in the center of the field, where Ruslan Babenko and Borel Tomandzoto already play.
During the summer training camps, the Zhytomyr team actively worked on different schemes, and in the return match against "Copenhagen", Rotan threw practically all attacking players into the battle, yet the team looked interesting. "Polissya" could have beaten "Copenhagen" if they had converted their chances.
In the first round, "Polissya" visited "Chornomorets" and conceded a crazy long-range shot at the beginning, but managed to turn the course of the match (2:1). The main hero was Vladyslav Veleten, who scored a goal and provided an assist. After the break, the hosts acted smartly in terms of the scoreline. The not-so-bright performances of Oleksandr Nazarenko and Leandro Andrade can be explained by insufficient recovery after the European competitions. They could prepare thoroughly and without haste for "Kharkiv", returning to their base.
Oleksandr Shovkovskyi is a brand ambassador of the licensed Ukrainian bookmaker company BETKING, a 14-time champion of Ukraine and once led Dynamo to the Ukrainian championship as head coach, an 11-time winner of the Ukrainian Cup, and a 9-time best goalkeeper of Ukraine.
"Kharkiv", in turn, had a very successful transfer campaign, strengthening each line precisely. Georgiy Yermakov, Artem Smolyakov, Oleksandr Yatsyk, Rafael Profini, and Carlos Paraco have already debuted in the opening round against a significant opponent, "Veres". They created chances for several matches ahead, but Valentin Gorokh and his team almost became the new "Chernihiv", yet they scored a goal in the net in the 90th minute by Ramik Hadzhiev (1:0).
Bartulovich's team looks well-equipped, has a decent squad depth, and several options for almost every position right away. At least based on the results of the training camps and the match against "Veres", there are no obvious weaknesses in Kharkiv's team.
Regarding injuries: Yevhen Volynets and Eduard Sarapiy, as we can see, are serious losses for the team from Zhytomyr. Kharkiv's team does not have such problems, moreover, Nicholas Arevalo and Kaun Baptiste have returned.
Last season, at the home stadium for both teams, results of 0:0 and 1:0 in favor of "Polissya" were recorded. I expect that on Monday, Ruslan Rotan's team will have the initiative, attack a lot, and put constant pressure on the opponent's defense, while "Kharkiv" will try to find their chances in counterattacks, using the speed and technique of their performers. I still give the advantage to the hosts - "Polissya" victory (odds 2.08 at BETKING).
