An awkward opponent is back: prediction for Zorya vs Kolos
Zorya
FC Kolos Kovalivka
The opening round of the UPL will see Zorya take on Kolos this Friday at the Valeriy Lobanovskyi Dynamo Stadium in Kyiv. The Luhansk side enters the new season after a disappointing preseason and a major squad overhaul, while the team from Kovalivka enjoyed a much more stable summer and are justifiably considered favorites for this clash.
Zorya: a worrying summer and too many questions ahead of the start
Zorya held their preseason camp in Slovenia, but the results were frankly poor. Viktor Skrypnyk’s team failed to win any of their six friendlies, suffering four defeats and drawing twice. In their most recent matches, Zorya lost 1-2 to Göztepe, 1-2 to Konyaspor, 1-2 to Slovacko, and 1-2 to Gorica, with their only draw coming against Grimsby - 1-1.
Further complicating matters was a significant summer squad shake-up. Roman Vantukh, Hennadiy Mychyn, Nikita Turbaevskyi, Trontel, and Nwaeze all left the team, with the first three having been regulars last season. Rybak, Karavashchenko, Macheluk, Kravets, and loan signing Ivan Nesterenko from Vorskla are expected to fill the gaps, but it remains to be seen how quickly the newcomers can adapt to the team’s playing style.
Kolos: steady preparation and targeted reinforcement
Kolos trained at their own facility and looked far more confident than their upcoming opponents. The Kovalivka side won five of their six summer friendlies, drawing the other. In their latest outings, Ruslan Kostyshyn’s team played Chornomorets twice - 2-2 and 2-1 - and previously defeated Oleksandriya 2-1, Kudrivka 2-0, and Veres 3-2.
The transfer window was also smooth, with no significant losses from the starting lineup. The team welcomed Honcharenko, Katrych, Morgun, Ndukwe, and Albanian midfielder Kasala - signed for €230,000. Additionally, the club extended the loan of Eduard Kozyk from Shakhtar, and the departures of Alefirenko, Krasniqi, Bondarenko, and Kryvoruchko are not expected to upset the squad’s balance.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Kolos are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Zorya, claiming three wins and two draws.
- Zorya failed to win any of their six summer friendlies.
- Kolos won five of their six preseason matches ahead of the new campaign.
The visitors look stronger: prediction for Zorya vs Kolos
Zorya enters the league campaign in a state that can hardly be called stable. The team conceded heavily over the summer, struggled to find a reliable balance between the lines, and are still adjusting to their revamped squad. Even the nominal home advantage in Kyiv doesn’t seem like much of an edge given their current issues.
Kolos approach this fixture more cohesive, confident, and physically ready. The Kovalivka side have traditionally been a tough matchup for Zorya, and their summer results show the team has already hit their stride. While an away win isn’t certain, Kolos should at least avoid defeat.
