When Scotland recorded just one win in five matches earlier in the year, Steve Clarke would have had concerns that their previous momentum and resolve was starting to disappear.
Nevertheless, their last three outings have told a different story, two comeback wins being recorded with nine goals netted in the process.
At one stage, it appeared that the Tartan Army would drop points against Republic of Ireland on Saturday evening, but goals from Jack Hendry and Ryan Christieensured that they posted a potentially-crucial 2-1 victory.
Not only do Clarke’s side make the journey to Poland – a neutral venue due to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine – full of confidence, they do so knowing that avoiding defeat to a team which they dominated as recently as Wednesday will prove enough to move into games with European football’s elite.
Although there will naturally be concerns with how Scotland may fare on the back of two intense matches in quick succession, each of their last five goals have been scored in the second half.
While Ukraine have also encountered the same timetable, they are well set to benefit from having breezed past Armenia on Saturday afternoon.
Oleksandr Petrakov’s team coasted to a 5-0 success, three of those strikes coming before the 70th minute to allow Ukraine to cruise through the closing stages.
From their last 15 outings, Ukraine have only suffered defeat on two occasions, each of those losses coming against British opposition in Wales and Tuesday’s opponents.
Nevertheless, Ukraine were deserved victors when they beat Scotland at Hampden Park in their World Cup playoff tie in June, evidence that they are capable of rising to the occasion in a one-off match.
Links >> Stream 1 HD Stream 2 HD Stream 3 HD Stream 4 HD
Ukraine will have to make do without Serhii Sydorchuk after the midfielder collected his second yellow card of the competition in Armenia.
Petrakov must decide whether to recall Taras Stepanenko or Oleksandr Pikhalyonok in the centre of the pitch, but numerous changes are expected given the players that were rested at the weekend.
Mykola Matviyenko, Oleksandr Karavaev, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Andriy Yarmolenko, Mykhaylo Mudryk and Artem Dovbyk are all in contention for recalls.
