Chernihiv vs Inhulets - Persha Liga

There is a notable edge to this Persha Liga fixture. When Chernihiv meet Inhulets at the home ground on May 23, 2026, both will sense an opportunity to land a telling blow. Manchester City face the K-League All-Stars in Seoul as part of their pre-season tour of Asia.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the Persha Liga contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. It has been a torrid run for the hosts, L in their last five and a season win rate of just 14.29% that has the alarm bells ringing. On their travels the visitors have been workmanlike, W in their last five and a win rate of 42.86% to show for it. Their respective approaches this season have differed noticeably, and the tactical contrast could prove telling. The midfielder faces a significant period on the sidelines after being stretchered off during Uruguay's 1-0 defeat to Spain in the recent FIFA World Cup.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Chernihiv may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Inhulets have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. His passing display at the World Cup was yet more evidence of his suitability for City and the possession-heavy style Maresca favours.

The fixture is likely to be shaped by its key performers, with creative midfielders and clinical finishers on both sides capable of turning the game in an instant. Discipline at the back and sharpness in front of goal will likely tilt the balance one way or the other. However, the Scotland striker has not hit the ground running in Govan and was on the bench for the 5-1 home League Cup win over St Mirren on Sunday, with midfielder Nico Raskin taking the armband.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. With positions in the Persha Liga table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Liverpool's midfield wasn't great last year but I expect Florian Wirtz to have a better season, 100 per cent.