The first of two Thursday evening Euro 2016 matches sees Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland face Ukraine, with both sides seeking the points having lost their opening Group C matches.
With Germany next up for Northern Ireland and Ukraine facing a tricky tie with Poland in their final match, this will be a contest that both will have earmarked as a must win.
However, goals may be hard to come by, with Mykhaylo Fomenko’s Ukraine managing just five attempts in their 2-0 loss to Germany. Northern Ireland have been even more shot-shy, recording a tournament worst two goal attempts in their 1-0 defeat to Poland.
Over their four match ups Northern Ireland have never beaten Ukraine, who are playing in only their second European Championship, having co-hosted Euro 2012.
If Ukraine are to once again prevail corners may be key: they won 12 against Germany, with only Spain winning more in the tournament’s opening set of fixtures.
