In a clash that feels like the very definition of a must-win scenario, Polessya hosts Epitsentr Dunayivtsi at Tsentralnyi Stadion on November 23, 2025. Polessya stands poised in third place with a respectable 23 points and an eye toward championship glory, while Epitsentr, languishing in 13th with just 9 points, is on the ropes and desperate to revive their season. If Epitsentr hopes to escape relegation peril, they must rise to the occasion; anything less would further solidify their position as one of the league's biggest disappointments.
Predicted Lineups:
Polessya: GK: Yevhen Volynets DEF: Eduard Sarapiyy, Serhii Chobotenko, Bogdan Mykhailichenko MID: Vladyslav Veleten, Oleksandr Andriyevskyi, Ruslan Babenko FWD: Mykola Haiduchyk (C), Oleksandr Filippov, Maksym Bragaru
Epitsentr Dunayivtsi: GK: Oleg Bilyk DEF: Nil Coch, Oleksandr Klymets, Vladyslav Moroz MID: Jon Cebeiro, Mykola Myronyuk, Geovane FWD: Joaquinete (C), Vadym Sydun
Polessya enters this match riding high after three resounding victories over lesser opposition - notably a dazzling 4-0 win against Obolon'-Brovar, and an emphatic 3-0 demolition of Oleksandria. Their attacking prowess has been scintillating with standout performances from players like Mykola Haiduchyk, who netted goals in both recent matches while contributing decisively to build-up play. With a midfield that thrives on both creativity and defensive solidity-averaging above 50% pass accuracy, coupled with an ability to pressure opponents effectively-they've shown they can control games convincingly.
Contrast this with Epitsentr's dismal run: three losses in their last five matches-including gut-wrenching defeats by one-goal margins-paint a grim picture. Even their solitary wins seem hollow when juxtaposed against their nine total losses. The team struggles with finishing; how can you remain competitive when your star striker fails to find the back of the net? Joaquinete, despite being touted as a pivotal player this season, remains goalless across all competitions thus far! This glaring absence of offensive firepower should send alarm bells ringing within the ranks of Epitsentr.
As we dissect the stats deeper for this showdown at Tsentralnyi Stadion, it becomes evident that Polessya holds significant advantages across multiple facets of play. In terms of shots taken per game during recent outings (averaging about 12 shots) compared to Epitsentr's pitiful average of 6, we see a colossal disparity. Polessya is not only getting more attempts but also managing to convert at critical moments-a correlation reflected in their recent 4-0 drubbing performances. They've hit nearly half of their shots on target-far exceeding Epitsentr's struggle at just under 17%.
What about possession? Here lies another key battleground where Polessya has outperformed expectations. Despite sharing ball dominance at times with tougher teams such as Shakhtar Donetsk, they've proven they can assert themselves against weaker opposition without hesitation-a tactic they'll undoubtedly leverage against struggling Epitsentr.
Let's not forget disciplinary issues either; Epitsentr faces mounting concerns here too. With defenders like Nil Coch receiving cards regularly - he's already racked up two yellows - undisciplined play could exacerbate their defensive frailties under Polessya's relentless attack.
The key tactical battle will unfold through Polessya's flanks where players like Vladyslav Veleten, who scored in several previous matches while boasting a decent number of successful duels won-will take on what appears to be a shaky defense in Epitsentr led by Coch and Moroz. Expect speed down the wings to stretch Epitsentr thin; if there's any chance for a breakthrough goal early on for Polessya-it will come through overwhelming pressure down those channels.
To put it bluntly: unless some miraculous transformation occurs overnight within this beleaguered squad from Dunayivtsi-or if even luck graces them-the momentum heavily favors Polessya heading into this critical fixture. They're charging forward confidently; meanwhile, Ekipsntr looks content to play defend-and-counter football that just isn't cutting it anymore!
Now for my prediction: Polessya takes all three points convincingly here-think along the lines of 3-1. Expect Haiduchyk or possibly Andriyevskyi finding themselves celebrating yet again after making decisive contributions amid porous defending by an Edisting undermanned Dunayivtsi squad trying desperately to stay afloat amidst stormy waters ahead! Mark my words: epically dramatic clashes await when teams fighting towards different ends collide-and when it does happen here-it'll be nothing short of spectacle!