Journalist Serhiy Tyshchenko shared his expectations for the struggle in the Ukrainian championship for the 2025/26 season on his Telegram channel:
Serhiy Tyshchenko— I do not have a clear favorite in the battle for the championship. I am aware of the level and potential of “Dynamo.” The team is unable to jump higher than its head. Last season there was a loss of 20 points. That is a lot. Everything depends on the state of affairs in “Shakhtar.” Turan delivered results in the short term. But there were no two matches a week, no travel. Pushych also started well. It will be clearer somewhere around October. For now — 50/50.
The undeniable favorite for third place is “Polissya.” Only an incredible failure will force them to drop lower. The chances for the top two spots depend solely on possible failures of “Dynamo” and “Shakhtar.”
For fourth place, there are three contenders — “Karpaty,” LNZ, and “Metalist 1925.” The favorite is “Karpaty.” Lypashko has been working for three transfer windows, the whole season. The team is cohesive. Winter newcomers have not reinforced anything yet. There are doubts that over the summer the team has become stronger in terms of personnel. Plus, there will be pressure. A lot is expected from “Karpaty” this season.
Ponomaryov and Bartulovych are just building their teams. Time is needed. “Metalist 1925” has a great lineup. If everything goes well, they could even challenge “Polissya.” LNZ has changed enough coaches in UPL. They need to be allowed to work calmly. There is a general understanding between sports director Kayuk and head coach Ponomaryov. Time and patience are needed. In the spring, the team may take off.
“Zorya,” “Oleksandriya,” “Kryvbas,” “Kolos,” plus “Veres” and “Rukh” are the mid-table teams, whose main task is development and player transfers.
Playoffs and relegation. “Poltava” is the weakest team by a large margin. I don’t know what needs to happen for them not to finish last. “Kudrivka” is slightly higher in class, having worked better in the transfer market. The question is the coach’s work to avoid relegation directly. “EpiCenter” is the coaching team of Serhiy Nahorniak. One talented coach is not enough to avoid playoffs. “Obolon” has lost a lot over the summer to be above the playoffs.
1−2. “Dynamo,” “Shakhtar”
3. “Polissya”
4. “Metalist 1925”
5−6. “Karpaty,” LNZ
7. “Kolos”
8. “Zorya”
9−12. “Kryvbas,” “Oleksandriya,” “Rukh,” “Veres”
13. “EpiCenter”
14−15. “Obolon,” “Kudrivka.”
16. “Poltava.”
