Ruslan Zabransky, a well-known Ukrainian football coach, named the main contenders for two direct tickets to the UPL following the results of the Ukrainian Premier League championship.
- I would not start from the current tournament situation. Yes, Polissia will take the first place. I think Karpaty will take the second place. They can do it. The third will be LNZ, followed by Obolon, Epicenter and Metallurg. I've been playing football all my life and half my life in the first league, but I've never experienced this format of competition. Here, every match is actually a championship match. There is not a single passing game. The intrigue is incredible. It's obviously interesting for the fans, but for the players it's incredible pressure and workload. But who has it easy now?" the expert said.
It should be added that according to the format of the "champion" group, the first two teams go directly to the UPL. Those who took third and fourth place will play transitional matches with UPL teams that took 13-14 places. As for the relegation group, the last team will be immediately relegated to the second league, while the seventh team will play a transition match with the second team of the second league.
At the moment, the situation in the "champion" group of the first league is as follows: "Obolon - 17 points, Polissia - 16, LNZ - 11, Metallurg - 10, Epicenter and Karpaty - 9 each, Niva - 3, and Kremin - 2 points.