Ukraine v Italy: Back 4/1 Bet Builder in winner takes all matchup

• Expect tight affair as Italy bid to claim point

• Back Sudakov for shots for desperate Ukraine

• 4/15.00 Bet Builder for crunch Euro 2024 qualifier

Ukraine v Italy
Monday 20 November, 19:45
Live on Viaplay Sports 2

The 'watching England is boring' brigade were back out in force on Friday night after their 2-0 win over Malta.

The Three Lions have now moved on to North Macedonia, a game many will consider 'dead' given Gareth Southgate's side qualified for Euro 2024 last month.

So, if you want to watch a 'proper' game then simply switch channels and put this on, for the match in Leverkusen is very much alive.

Ukraine v Italy is a straight shoot-out for a place in Germany next summer.

Italy hold the advantage in the sense that a draw will be good enough for them but they look sure to come under pressure from a team with nothing to lose.

Leg 1: Under 2.5 goals

I'm going for Italy, who will have Giovanni di Lorenzo back from suspension, to revert to type and produce a strong defensive performance with the bet being under 2.5 goals.

I believe the fact they only need a point will see them happy to sit behind the ball and break when they can.

This is a bet which has landed in a lot of their big games in recent times, including the last European Championship final against England in 2021.

Since then, the end of their miserable World Cup qualifying campaign saw goals at a premium with two games against group rivals Switzerland seeing under 2.5 goals, as well as key encounters with Northern Ireland and Macedonia.

In last season's Nations League (against teams of a similar ability) four of their six games landed this bet, while away games in Malta and Macedonia have also come good in the current qualifying campaign.

Leg 2: Heorhii Sudakov 2+ shots

Ukraine, who have only conceded eight goals in seven qualifiers and drew 1-1 with England in their nominal 'home' game, will have to throw caution to the wind at some stage if it remains level (or if they fail behind).

While they've struggled for goals (only 11 so far) that should lead to some shots at least and I like midfielder Heorhii Sudakov in this market.

He managed four shots in both qualifiers last month and while the opposition rises here, the situation makes odds of 6/42.50 about him having 2+ shots appeal.

The Shakhtar Donetsk man has made an impression in the Champions League this season, scoring against Barcelona, and he should be a player the hosts look to in order to make that crucial breakthrough.

The two legs combined produce a Bet Builder which pays around 4/15.00.

North Macedonia v England: Read Paul Higham's in-depth preview