Yashkin made predictions for all matches of the 4th round of the UPL
Former midfielder of the Ukrainian national team and Kyiv Dynamo Artem Yashkin exclusively for "UF" gave a forecast for all matches of the fourth round of the UPL season 2026/27.
The Ukrainian Premier League is back! Today, on Friday, August 28, the fourth round of the elite division of our country will start.
Journalist of the website "Ukrainian Football" Viktor Hlukhenkyi, as is already a tradition before the battles on the domestic fields, talked to an authoritative expert. This time - with the former midfielder of the Ukrainian national team and Kyiv Dynamo Artem Yashkin.
"I would like to see more spectacular play, like Carpathians demonstrate."
– Artem Oleksandrovych, did you miss the UPL matches due to the cup break, did you have time to miss the competition in the elite division of our country?
– To be honest, I didn't miss it because new seasons started in other European championships [EPL, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A]. Not as interesting as UPL 😀. What are the expectations for the round? First of all, I would like to see more spectacular football, like Carpathians have been demonstrating lately. The rest of the teams, I think, are still getting into the season.
– Who benefited more from the cup break: UPL teams that played in the Cup, because they were in game shape, or those teams that rested?
– In my opinion, some UPL teams have not yet found their game shape. So they had nothing to lose. I think the break was beneficial for the teams that rested - Dynamo, Shakhtar, LNZ, Polissya. There was more time purely for training and working on different schemes.
Some of our teams are still in a training camp, like Shakhtar, for example. They themselves talked about it. Therefore, the cup break should be beneficial for the leading UPL teams.
"Obolon plays not very interestingly, but there is dedication and good fighting qualities in this Kyiv team."
August 28, Friday. Kolos - Obolon - 15:30
Artem Yashkin: "Obolon plays not very interestingly and spectacularly, but there is dedication and good fighting qualities. As for Kolos, they started the season not very successfully [two defeats], and if they lose another match, it will be very bad.
As for the score... Both teams are low-scoring, so I think Kolos will win with a score of 2:0."
August 29, Saturday. Kudrivka - Epicenter - 13:00
Artem Yashkin: "Football performed by both Kudrivka and Epicenter looks interesting. The chances of winning in this match, in my opinion, are 50-50. I bet that the match will end in a draw 1:1."
"Why does Livyi Bereh think of staying in the UPL? I don't know, I don't see any prerequisites yet..."
August 29, Saturday. Livyi Bereh - Carpathians - 15:30
Artem Yashkin: "Of course, the game can go in any direction. There may be some unclear sending-off, accidental penalty, or something else, but... In my opinion, both in terms of play and composition, two teams of different levels will play against each other. Carpathians are significantly better. Lviv residents entered the season very well, caught their game. As for Livyi Bereh, the team returned to the UPL, but remained at the First League level. They did not strengthen qualitatively. Essentially the same squad that was in the First League, which they didn't even win. Why does Livyi Bereh think of staying in the UPL? I don't know, I don't see any prerequisites yet...
It is unlikely that Livyi Bereh will take points from Carpathians, unless something extraordinary happens - a dismissal in the opponent's team or a penalty in their favor. As for the forecast, I think this time Carpathians will not win overwhelmingly, but with a score of 2:0, they can beat Livyi Bereh."
"Polissya concedes to Shakhtar in player selection, but Rotan's team play is set."
August 29, Saturday. Shakhtar - Polissya - 18:00
Artem Yashkin: "If during the cup break Shakhtar finally got out of the load, out of the training camp, then the match in Lviv should be very interesting. In Polissya's game, you can see Rotan's coaching style, the Zhytomyr team has quality players. Polissya concedes to Shakhtar in player selection, but Rotan's team play is set. I'm talking about team play, as Shakhtar mainly wins matches thanks to the high individual skill of their players. I'm not saying that Shakhtar lacks team play, it's just better set in Polissya, in my opinion.
I think we will see a productive draw 1:1 in this match."
"Chornomorets is a First League team. I don't see a leader or even one characteristic player in them."
August 30, Sunday. Chornomorets - Kryvbas - 13:00
Artem Yashkin: "For me, Kryvbas is a completely unpredictable team. They play very fun and spectacularly. It's just wow! Watching the matches of the Kryvyi Rih team is very interesting, but predicting the results of Patrick van Leeuwen's team is very difficult. I think Kryvbas will beat Chornomorets precisely because of their recklessness and determination. I bet on 2:1.
Speaking of Chornomorets, looking at their game in the new season, I currently have no impression of the Odessa team - neither positive nor negative. I just can't understand their football. Chornomorets is a First League team. I don't see a leader or even one characteristic player in them who could lead or support the team."
August 30, Sunday. LNZ - Veres - 15:30
Artem Yashkin: "Veres is a team that can fight, but they haven't become stronger during the offseason... They fight, struggle, Shandruk's work is visible.
As for LNZ, this is not an easy team. If they outrun Rivne, step over them, then they will win. However, I bet that it will be a goalless draw."
August 30, Sunday. Zorya - Kharkiv - 18:00
Artem Yashkin: "Zorya is more or less on the move at the start of the championship, which is noticeable, but I am more inclined to believe that Kharkiv will win. It's time for them to do it, Kharkiv residents have not defeated Luhansk for a long time (last time on September 15, 2023 (2:1), - ed.).I bet that the score will be 2:0 in favor of Mladen Bartulovich's team, the main thing is for them to have a good combination game in attack. Their defense is more or less good, it is well-adjusted.
"Bukovyna has not scored a single goal in three rounds, and I doubt that they will break through in the match against Dynamo."
August 31, Monday. Bukovyna - Dynamo - 18:00
Artem Yashkin: "Dynamo has a very successful calendar at the start of the new season. Kyivans should continue their winning streak. Bukovyna has not scored a single goal in three rounds, and I doubt that they will break through in the match against Dynamo.
My prediction - 2:0 in favor of the blue and white team".
