It was Slovenia that won the Euro 2000 play-off between the two sides thanks to a late goal from the halfway line, and no doubt Ukraine will be looking for a revenge.

Mikhail Fomenko’s charges will be hoping to create an advantage ahead of the return leg despite the fact that they have some important missings.

Ukraine have only once qualified for a major tournament since gaining independence from the Soviet Union, while they were handed an automatic berth for the Euro 2012 they co-hosted with Poland.

Zbirna were incredibly unfortunate in the play-offs, losing five of these ties, and they will be eager to end the barren run against Slovenia.

Ukraine definitely seem capable of doing so, especially if the attacking trio of Andriy Yarmolenko, Artem Kravets and Yevhen Konoplyanka perform to their potential.

Even if they have some selection issues, Mikhail Fomenko’s side have been rightly made 1.67 (2/3) favourites to win the first leg in L’viv.

The hosts have both Oleksandr Kucher and Taras Stepanenko suspended for the first match, while captain Ruslan Rotan is out injured.

The good news is that Andriy Pyatov and Artem Fedetisky have recovered from injury, whereas Roman Zozulya had been overlooked having just recovered from a difficult injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Pyatov – Fedetskiy, Khacheridi, Rakitiskiy, Shevchuk – Garmash, Rybalka, Sydorchuk – Yarmolenko, Kravets, Konoplyanka.

Following said play-off win over Ukraine, Slovenia failed to impress at the Euro 2000 finals and they are still waiting for the second appearance at the European Championships.

The team did make it to the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, but crashed out in the group stage both times, failing to justify their appearances at the biggest stage.

Slovenia were far from impressive in the Euro 2016 qualifiers as well, and they almost missed out on the top 3 finish, so they will have to work hard if they want to enjoy another play-off triumph over Ukraine.

Coach Srecko Katanec was delighted to welcome back top scorer Milivoje Novakovic to the side after the forward missed the October games through injury, but Tim Matavz and Dalibor Stevanovic were left out.

Saint Etienne striker Robert Beric was unable to join the squad as he suffered a season-ending knee injury, with Roman Bezjak called in his place.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): S. Handanovic – Struna, Ilic, Cesar, Jokic – Krhin, Kurtic – Birsa, Ilicic, Kampl – Novakovic.