Iraq U23 take on Ukraine U23 in Group B of the Olympics on Wednesday evening and we're bringing you our predictions for the game.
Both of these countries boast mostly home-based teams and it's Ukraine U23 that head into their opening match of Group B as the bookmaker's favourite to secure all three points.
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Iraq U23 vs Ukraine U23 prediction: Easy win for the Eastern Europeans?
Key Stats
- Iraq U23 have lost two of their last six matches across all competitions, failing to score on both of those occasions.
- Three of Iraq U23's last five matches have produced over 2.5 goals.
- At least three goals have been scored in four of Ukraine U23's last five outings.
Correct score prediction: Iraq U23 0-3 Ukraine U23
Iraq lost their last away game 2-0 against Japan while Ukraine have scored at least three goals in two of their last five matches and have kept clean sheet sin three of their last five attempts.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Ukraine the bookmakers' choice
- HOME: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 7/10 (1.70) – 58.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Ukraine U23 are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 58.8%, and we can't argue with the bookmakers on this one.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: First encounter
Iraq U23 face Ukraine U23 for the first time in their history this week.
Iraq U23 preview: Finished fourth in 2004
Iraq U23 have qualified for their third Summer Olympics and will be hoping to at least make it out of the group stage this time around.
Their last Olympic appearance was in Brazil 2016, where Iraq U23 failed to make it through the group stage, but back in 2004, they claimed fourth place finish in Greece.
The current Iraq U23 squad names three players that ply their trade in Europe, Josef Al-Imam for aptly named Swedish side Olympic, Hussein Ali plays for Dutch side Heerenveen and midfielder Youssef Amyn is on the books at Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany.
Predicted lineup: Hasan (GK), Maknazi, Al Imam, Sadoun, Tahssen, N. Mohammed, Jasim, M. Mohammed, K. Mohammed, Fadhil & Hassan
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 30/07/24
L
Morocco Olympic
3
Iraq Olympic
0
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 27/07/24
L
Argentina Olympic
3
Iraq Olympic
1
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 24/07/24
W
Ukraine Olympic
1
Iraq Olympic
2
Ukraine U23 preview: First Olympic games as a sovereign nation
Ukraine U23 have made it through to the first Summer Olympic games since separating from the Soviet Union.
Other than two players who play in Austria and Poland, the entire Ukraine U23 squad is made up of home-based players.
Captain Danylo Sikan is a forward who plays his club football for Shakhtar Donetsk and enjoyed a fantastic season in front of goal during the 2023/24 campaign.
Predicted lineup: Fesiun (GK), Martyniuk, Saliuk, Krupskyi, Rubchynskyi, Batahov, Veleten, Shostak, Khlan, Fedor & Sikan
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 30/07/24
L
Argentina Olympic
2
Ukraine Olympic
0
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 27/07/24
W
Morocco Olympic
1
Ukraine Olympic
2
Olympics 2024 Soccer - Men 24/07/24
L
Iraq Olympic
2
Ukraine Olympic
1
Player to watch – Danylo Sikan
Danylo Sikan scored 16 goals in all competitions for Shakhtar Donetsk last season and we have selected the Ukraine U23 captain as our player to watch on Wednesday.
Can the Shakhtar Donetsk forward guide his team to a medal finish?
Sikan broke into the starting lineup for his club during the 2022/23 season, playing 33 times and scoring nine goals in all competitions. The Ukraine U23 star has developed really well and already has seven caps for the senior international side.
