Euro 2024 Play-off Semifinal: Bosnia vs Ukraine Odds
Ukraine Going for Fourth Straight Euro Appearance
Bosnia Host Thursday’s Path B Semifinal
Ukraine have become mainstays at the UEFA Euro over the past decade. They’ve qualified for the last three editions of the tournament and reached the Quarter-finals at Euro 2020. On Thursday, they’ll head to Bosnia for a Euro Play-off Semifinal match where the winner will take on either Iceland or Israel next Tuesday. While Bosnia have home-field advantage for this match, they’ll be looking for their first win over Ukraine. Ahead of the match, let’s take a look at the Bosnia vs Ukraine odds.
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Ukraine
Date, time:
Location: Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia vs Ukraine Head-to-Head
This will be the third chance for soccer betting on Bosnia vs Ukraine odds on the UEFA Euro schedule for Qualifying. In Euro 2022 qualifiers, these teams drew 1-1 in Ukraine and Ukraine managed a 2-0 win at the Bilino Polje as Artem Dovbyk and Oleksandr Zinchenko got on the scoresheet. Here, Bosnia are looking for their first-ever win over Ukraine.
Bosnia in Bad Form
Bosnia and Herzegovina have lost in the Play-off stage of their last three Euro qualifying campaigns. This time around, they didn’t advance to the Play-off based on their qualifying performance. Bosnia went just 3-7 in a group many thought they would advance out of. They lost twice to Luxembourg and finished in fifth place in a six team group. Bosnia got to the Play-off by winning their Nations League B group, with a 3-2-1 record.
Despite only playing in five of Bosnia’s ten matches, former AC Milan midfielder Rade Krunic led them in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying stats, with two goals. Edin Dzeko, now 38, is Bosnia’s all-time leading scorer but his scoring pace has slowed down, at least with the national team. He and Miralem Pjanic, who has made 114 appearances, are in the side and, along with Sead Kolasinac are the last holdovers from the Bosnian side that qualified for the 2014 World Cup.
Heading into this one, Bosnia are on a three game losing streak and they’ve also lost three of their last four at home. Midfielder Amir Hadziahmetovic is injured for this one while defender Renato Gojkovic is suspended. Bosnia have also conceded in eight of their last nine games and will need a big effort here to defeat Ukraine.
Ukraine Full of Young Talent
In Euro 2024 qualifiers, Ukraine were in a group with Malta and three other teams that qualified for Euro 2020. Ukraine managed to finish level on points with Italy, snagged a draw vs. England and defeated North Macedonia twice. Ukraine only missed out on direct qualification based on head-to-head vs. Italy. Those familiar with the UEFA Euro brackets know that Ukraine will be Group E should they advance through the playoff.
If they’re able to defeat Bosnia and the winner of Israel vs. Iceland they’ve got a decent shot to make it through to the round of 16. Ukraine would be in a group with Belgium, Slovakia and Romania. While Bosnia’s best players are aging, Ukraine have some excellent young talents. Goalkeepers Anatoliy Trubin and Andriy Lunin are playing starring roles for Benfica and Real Madrid, respectively.
Meanwhile, forward Artem Dovbyk has scored 14 goals for Girona in La Liga this season and winger Viktor Tsygankov has also played a key role for Girona. Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko is healthy again and he typically plays left back for the Gunners but central midfield for his country. Bournemouth defender Ilya Zabarnyi has also made 31 appearances for his country at just 21. While Ukraine have a ton of talent, bettors should note Taras Stepanenko and Andriy Yarmolenko are both out injured.
Bosnia vs Ukraine Match Analysis & Odds
While Bosnia have lost their last three matches, Ukraine have fallen in just three of their last 12. The Bosnia vs Ukraine odds do price the visitors as -110 favorites for this one. Ukraine have picked up some interesting results over the last year and even managed to draw at Germany. To get a sense of the perceived gulf in quality, Ukraine head into this one ranked 24th in the world. Meanwhile, Bosnia are ranked 71st.
Bettors can take Bosnia +0.5 at -120 or the hosts to win in 90 minutes at +280 odds. While Dzeko is 38, Bosnia’s captain has scored 18 goals for Fenerbahce this season and is often clinical with his chances. If the match ends in a draw (+255) Ukraine have a deeper roster which should benefit them in extra time.
Currently, Ukraine are -210 overall favorites to advance and even money favorites to emerge from the Path B Play-off and win next Tuesday’s final. They’ll expect to get back to the Euros for a fourth straight time and they can compete with the best teams on the continent. Here, over 2, 2.5 goals are priced at -125 odds as Bosnia have conceded 11 times in their last three games.
