Kudrivka vs Zorya: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 23 February 2026
Kudrivka
The final match of Round 17 in the 2025/26 Ukrainian Premier League will take place on Monday, February 23, at Avanhard Stadium in Rivne. This clash will see top-flight debutants Kudrivka go head-to-head with Luhansk side Zorya. Both teams are resuming the season after the winter break with very different objectives: the hosts are in a desperate fight for survival, while the visitors are looking to consolidate their spot in mid-table and close in on the European qualification zone.
Match preview
Kudrivka are playing their first-ever season in the UPL and currently sit 13th with 15 points. The team has been one of the breakout surprises of the first half of the campaign thanks to their resilience, but a string of defeats at the end of autumn took some shine off their run. The club underwent significant squad rotation in the winter, but just before the league restart suffered a blow: key player Valerii Rohozynskyi will miss the match due to injury. Nevertheless, Kudrivka are renowned for their disciplined defense and their ability to withstand pressure against higher-profile opponents.
For Kudrivka, this nominal home match in Rivne (their own stadium is not yet ready to host games of this level) will be a real test of their mettle. The coaching staff will likely opt for an ultra-defensive setup, aiming to close off the channels for Zorya’s rapid attacks. The hosts’ main hope lies in set-pieces and counterattacks, which already caused Zorya trouble in the first round. The drive to prove themselves at the elite level and the urgent need to pull away from the relegation zone make Kudrivka a very dangerous and stubborn opponent.
Zorya, under Viktor Skrypnyk, are eighth in the table with 23 points and approach the spring part of the season with a revamped squad. The headline news for the Luhansk side is the official signing of Sierra Leone international midfielder Sallieu Bah, who is expected to inject power and creativity into the midfield. During the winter break, Zorya showed impressive attacking form in friendlies (including a thrilling 3-3 draw against Bulgarian side Lokomotiv), indicating they are in good attacking rhythm. Skrypnyk continues to instill an attacking philosophy, focusing on quick play down the flanks and high individual skill from his players.
Despite being favorites, Zorya often struggle against teams that sit deep in defense. Their squad situation is stable, but lack of chemistry among the new signings could be a factor in the first official match of the year. Zorya’s traditionally potent attack, led by Pylyp Budkivskyi, will be aiming for an early goal to force the opposition to open up. A win in Rivne would not only solidify Zorya’s place in the top half of the table but also restore their confidence in the race for higher positions after an inconsistent start to the season.
Key facts and head-to-head
- Kudrivka are winless in their last five official matches.
- Over 2 goals have been scored in three of Kudrivka’s last five matches.
- Zorya have won only one of their last four official matches.
- Under 3 goals have been scored in three of Zorya’s last four matches.
- These teams have met only once before.
- The first-round match ended in a 2-1 victory for Zorya.
Probable lineups
- Kudrivka: Yashkov - Macheliuk, Veklyak, Serdiuk, Melnychuk - Dumaniuk, Nagnoynyi, Storchous - Morozko, Pushkaryov, Liehostaiev
- Zorya: Saputin - Juninho, Jordan, Malysh, Vantukh - Slesar, Mićin, Bašić, Popara - Anðušić, Budkivskyi
Prediction
I expect caution to prevail in the first official match after the winter break. Zorya are the traditional favorites, but the gritty nature of early spring football and less-than-ideal match sharpness at the start of the season often hinder high-scoring games. Kudrivka, for their part, are adept at “drying up” matches against more established opponents, and the loss of their key creator in midfield will likely force the hosts to sit even deeper in defense. With both sides prioritizing defensive solidity in their first game of the year, don’t expect a goal-fest. My prediction: total under 2.5 goals.
