Veres vs SC Poltava: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 20 February 2026
Veres Rivne
SC Poltava
The 17th round match of the 2025/26 Ukrainian Premier League will take place on Friday, February 20, at the Avangard Stadium in Rivne. This showdown features Rivne's Veres and the top-flight newcomers, SC Poltava. The teams kick off the spring phase of the championship, both fighting to retain their place in the elite division.
Match preview
Under the guidance of Oleh Shandruk, Veres finished the autumn stage in 11th place, accumulating 18 points. The team traditionally relies on pragmatic football and the home advantage, where the passionate Rivne ultras often make a decisive impact. Over the winter break, the Red-and-Blacks worked productively, focusing on improving their finishing—a weak spot in the first half of the season. The core squad remains largely unchanged, ensuring a well-drilled defensive line.
This match is crucial for Veres not only due to their league position but also because of their desire for revenge. The Rivne side resumes league action in good form following a series of friendlies, including a recent 2-0 win over Dinamo Tbilisi. The coaching staff is likely to opt for an aggressive approach from the outset to prevent the underdog from settling into the rhythm. The first official match of the year brings added pressure, but Veres' experience at UPL level makes them clear favorites.
SC Poltava are making their historic debut in the top flight and currently sit at the bottom of the table (16th) with 9 points. However, it was Poltava who handed Veres one of their most painful defeats in the first round (1-0 in August), marking their first-ever UPL victory. During the winter, the club was active in the transfer market, signing experienced midfielders Oleksandr Pyatov and Valeriy Sad, as well as forward Danyil Sukhoruchko. These reinforcements are expected to inject creativity and power into an attack that struggled badly in autumn.
Poltava's main strategy for away games is a deep defensive block with hopes pinned on quick counterattacks. The coaching staff understands that in Rivne, they will spend most of the game without the ball, so the training camp focused on physical endurance and tactical discipline. Despite their underdog status, Poltava have already shown they can be resilient and punish opponents for any complacency. Any point gained here would be a huge success and a major psychological boost in their survival fight.
Key facts and head-to-head
- Veres are winless in their last three UPL matches.
- Over 2 goals were scored in three of Veres' last five official matches.
- SC Poltava have won just one of their last fourteen matches.
- Over 2 goals were scored in eight of SC Poltava's last nine matches.
- The sides have met only once before in official competition.
- The first-round match (August 2025) ended in a 1-0 win for SC Poltava.
Probable lineups
- Veres: Horokh – Stamoulis, Cipot, Honcharenko, Smiyan – Boyko, Kharatin, Godya – Sharay, Gonçalves, Wally
- SC Poltava: Voskonyan – Buzhyn, Misyura, Savenkov, Kotsyumaka – Danylenko, Plakhtyr, Doroshenko – Odariuk, Galenkov, Marusych
Prediction
I expect both teams to play cautiously in their first match after the winter break. Veres will try to dominate, but Poltava's defense and the typically sluggish spring football are unlikely to produce high-scoring action. Considering the head-to-head stats and the importance of points for both clubs, my prediction is Under 2.5 goals.
