Renowned coach and now also an authoritative expert Oleg Fedorchuk named the clubs in the First League which, in his opinion, will receive direct tickets to the UPL at the end of the current season.
“At the first stage, there is a certain uncertainty in the battle for a spot in the main quartet in group A. The last spot is contested by ‘Metalist’ and ‘Minai’, who will play against each other in the next round. I prefer the Kharkiv team due to a more balanced squad.
As for the distribution of places after the season ends, I tend to believe that the direct tickets to the Premier League will be won by ‘Metalist 1925’ and ‘Epicenter’, while ‘Agrobusiness’ and YUKSA will participate in the promotion matches against the UPL outsiders.
Although a lot will depend on how the teams perform in the winter transfer market and whether they conduct quality training. But I think that radical changes should not be expected at the finish,”— quotes Fedorchuk's words "Sport.ua".
Current standings of leaders in group "A" of the First League
1. ‘Agrobusiness’ — 28 points (13 matches)
2. ‘Epicenter’ — 23 (12)
3. ‘Bukovina’ — 20 (13)
4. ‘Metalist’ — 16 (12).
Current standings of leaders in group "B" of the First League
1. ‘Kudrivka’ — 28 points (15 matches)
2. YUKSA — 27 (14)
3. ‘Poltava’ — 26 (14)
4. ‘Metalist 1925’ — 26 (14).