Kenley Ward
Dailysports's expert
On Sunday, May 25, in the final round of the Ukrainian Premier League, Karpaty will host Zorya at home. Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00 Central European Time. I suggest a handicap bet on the winner in this match.
Key facts and head-to-head history
- Karpaty are unbeaten in their last 10 home Premier League matches.
- Zorya are on a four-game winless streak.
- Only 1 of Zorya's last 5 matches has seen more than 2 goals scored.
- In round 15 of this season, Zorya defeated Karpaty 2-1.
Match preview
This match against Zorya is a pivotal one for Karpaty this season. The Lviv side have a real chance to qualify for European competitions for the first time in many years. For that, Karpaty need to beat Zorya and hope that Kryvbas will take points off Polissya in the parallel fixture. Currently, Karpaty are fifth in the table, trailing Polissya by just one point. Kryvbas have the same number of points as Karpaty, but the green-and-whites have the head-to-head advantage.
In the previous round, Karpaty had a golden opportunity to secure fourth place ahead of the final match, but they sensationally lost away to Kolos. Before that, Vladyslav Lupashko's men were on a ten-game unbeaten run in the UPL.
Zorya, who have been one of Ukraine's strongest clubs in recent years, will miss out on European competition for the second season in a row. With 37 points, the team from Luhansk sit eighth in the standings, and even a win over Karpaty won't lift them above seventh place. Given their injury woes, this result can still be considered satisfactory for Mladen Bartulovic's side.
Zorya come into this match in less-than-ideal form. In the previous round, they lost 0-1 to Polissya, following draws with Shakhtar (0-0) and LNZ (1-1), as well as a 0-1 defeat to Inhulets.
Probable lineups
- Karpaty: Kynareykin, Polehenko, Babohlo, Jean Pedrozu, Stetskov, Alvarez, Chachua, Bruninho, Ocheretko, Neves, Kostenko
- Zorya: Turbayevskyi, Vantukh, Jordan, Bashych, Trontel, Michin, Drishlyuk, Khakhlev, Kiryukhantsev, Budkivskyi, Antyukh
Match prediction
Karpaty are in fine form and need an emphatic win. My pick is a home victory with a -1 handicap.
