Polissya Visits Epicenter in UPL Round 28 Showdown

Match Preview: Epicenter vs Polissya

According to Главком: On May 12, the Ukrainian Premier League's 28th round features a clash between Epicenter from Kamianets-Podilskyi and Polissya from Zhytomyr. Bookmakers at GGBET have installed Polissya as the clear favorites, riding a three-game winning streak. In contrast, Epicenter has drawn their last four matches. When these sides met earlier this season, they played to a 0-0 stalemate.

Current Form

The two teams are trending in opposite directions. Epicenter's most recent outing ended in a 2-2 tie with Obolon, with goals from Rojas and Sydun. Prior to that, they secured draws against Veres (3-3, where Sydun scored twice) and Oleksandriya (1-1, with Rojas finding the net). The club is clearly searching for a breakthrough to improve their results.

Polissya, meanwhile, is enjoying a hot streak. They have won three consecutive matches:

• A 3-1 victory over Obolon, featuring a brace from Sarapiy and a penalty by Hutsulyak.
• A 1-0 win against Metalist 1925, courtesy of a Braharu goal.
• A 2-1 triumph over Oleksandriya, with Haiduchyk and Filippov on the scoresheet.

Their only recent blemish was a 0-1 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Bookmaker odds reflect this disparity: Epicenter's win is priced at 7.31, while a Polissya victory stands at 1.49. A draw is listed at 4.48, and a 1-1 tie at 7.69. These odds were published at 11:10 AM on May 12. The match will be broadcast on UPL.TV at 3:30 PM Kyiv time.

Looking at head-to-head history, Polissya dominated Epicenter during the 2022/23 First League season, winning 2-1 away and 3-0 at home. Budkivskyi is the all-time top scorer in this fixture with two goals.

Projected lineups for the upcoming match are as follows:

• Epicenter: Bilyk – Lipovuz, Kosh Montanya, Hryhorashchuk – Kyriukhantsev, Seberio, Myroniuk, Klymets – Rojas, Sydun, Sifuentes.
• Polissya: Volynets – Maisuradze, Krasnichi, Sarapiy, Mykhaylichenko – Babenko – Hutsulyak, Andriievskyi, Emerllahu, Nazarenko – Filippov.

Given their contrasting runs and past encounters, this match promises to be a compelling contest.

This fixture could prove pivotal for both clubs' ambitions in the Premier League. Polissya, riding a wave of momentum, has a chance to solidify their position in the standings, while Epicenter is desperate to snap their streak of draws and return to winning ways. The outcome may significantly impact team morale and shape their strategies for the remainder of the championship.

As Polissya prepares for their upcoming match against Epicenter, it's essential to note their recent form, which has positioned them as strong contenders in the league. For a deeper insight into why Polissya is seen as a frontrunner in their next encounter, check out our analysis on their previous match against Metalist 1925, where they showcased their competitive edge and strategic prowess. Read more about it here.