In a battle that could shift the Premier League landscape, Obolon'-Brovar hosts Metalist 1925 Kharkiv at Obolon Arena on December 12. With both teams occupying the lower echelons of the standings-Obolon' in 11th with 17 points and Metalist in 8th with 21-this match presents an opportunity for either side to ignite their season. Recent performances tell a contrasting story: while Metalist has managed some grit despite mixed results, Obolon' is reeling from a series of disheartening defeats that could leave them demoralized heading into this crucial encounter.
Predicted Lineups
Expect both managers to deploy their best options:
- Obolon'-Brovar: GK: Nazariy Fedorivskyi, DEF: Yevheniy Shevchenko, Valeriy Dubko, Vladyslav Pryimak, Dmytro Semenov, MID: Vasyl Kurko, Oleh Illin, Maksym Chekh; FWD: Serhiy Sukhanov, Denys Ustymenko.
- Metalist 1925 Kharkiv: GK: Danylo Varakuta, DEF: Ilya Krupskyi, Artem Shabanov, Yevhen Pavliuk; MID: Ivan Lytvynenko, Ivan Kalyuzhnyi, Ermir Rashica; FWD: Denys Antyukh, Peter Itodo.
Obolon' enters this fixture limping after a string of disappointing results-three losses in five games and a recent shutout against LNZ Cherkasy. The home team has scored just twice in their last three matches while conceding a staggering nine goals. Their struggles are compounded by tactical inconsistency; switching between formations like 4-2-3-1 and 5-3-2 without finding any rhythm has left them vulnerable. In contrast, Metalist arrives with slightly more buoyancy after securing four points from their last two matches and showcasing flashes of offensive potential through dynamic plays led by midfielder Denys Antyukh.
Statistically speaking, Obolon' is floundering in various aspects of play. They average only one goal per game over the last five matches and struggle defensively as evidenced by their low tackle success rate; they've won merely about 37% of duels across those fixtures. Comparatively, Metalist demonstrates more attacking intent and better conversion rates-albeit still underwhelming given they netted only five goals during the same period. However, it's their ability to frustrate opponents defensively that could prove pivotal.
What stands out significantly is Metalist's duel-winning capabilities (averaging about 48%) compared to Obolon's feeble performance in this department. If Metalist can capitalize on this weakness by maintaining possession and engaging physically in midfield battles-which should favor them given Obolon's less assertive showing-they could dictate the tempo right from kickoff.
Additionally, let's not overlook individual performers: Denys Ustymenko for Obolon' remains key up front despite failing to score lately; his past abilities imply he could finally break his duck against a defense that occasionally falters under pressure. On the other hand, Denys Antyukh is proving to be vital for Metalist's stability and attacking fluidity; he not only leads assists but also brings pace and creativity that could exploit Obolon's backline.
The head-to-head history between these teams tilts slightly towards Metalist-two wins out of three meetings since August-with one match ending goalless. With confidence bubbling from previous encounters along with their collective experience in navigating tough situations as seen in last week's tight draw against Epitsentr Dunayivtsi-where they displayed defensive resilience-the visitors look primed to outmaneuver an Obolon' side mired in confusion.
Now consider the implications if things don't improve for Obolon': dropping further down the table would deepen relegation fears as they continue struggling offensively amid persistent defensive lapses. In contrast, a win for Metalist will boost morale and push them toward mid-table respectability-a leap into seventh place within reach if everything aligns.
As for my prediction? Based on current trajectories coupled with how each team stacks up statistically-particularly emphasizing how poorly Obolon' converts chances compared to Metalist's slightly better form-I see this match concluding with Metalist coming away victorious with a narrow scoreline of 1-0 or potentially even extending it to 2-0 if Antyukh finds his rhythm early on against an increasingly beleaguered defense. This matchup isn't merely about points-it's about survival instincts kicking in at what feels like a tipping point for both sides.