Ukraine have two Nations League games left in Group B2, and neither is a formality. First comes Northern Ireland, away, on November 14. Three days later Georgia visit in a nominal home game. Both kick off at 21:45 Kyiv time.

That is late on a weeknight and a Saturday, so plenty of fans will follow on the phone, flipping between a live feed, the group table and Super88. Whatever the setup, the table is worth a look before the first game, because it has changed a lot since September.

Where the group stands

After four rounds Northern Ireland lead with 8 points. Hungary have 7, Ukraine 4, Georgia 2. Ukraine sit third, four points off the top and three behind Hungary. The goal difference is minus three, and that number says plenty about October.

The campaign began well. Ukraine won 1–0 in Budapest on September 25. Three days later they drew 0–0 in Georgia. Then came two games in Trnava, Slovakia, the venue Ukraine use for home fixtures. Northern Ireland won there 3–0 on October 2, the first defeat under head coach Andrea Maldera. Hungary followed on October 5 and won 2–1.

Do the sums. Two goals scored in four games, five conceded. That is not a recipe for winning a group.

What is still on the table

Ukraine can still reach 10 points. Winning the group, though, means two wins and a lot of help from others, so the realistic job is different. The group winner goes up to League A, last place drops to League C, and the middle positions lead into playoffs in spring 2027. Finishing last is the result to avoid.

Northern Ireland are the awkward opponent. They have kept a clean sheet in all four group games. Before this autumn Ukraine had lost to them only once, 2–0 at Euro 2016. Now it is twice. Scoring against a defence that has not been breached is the first task on November 14.

Georgia are bottom, but only two points behind. They took a point off Ukraine in September, and they play Hungary three days before the Kyiv side. Whatever happens in that game will tell you how much the last round is worth.

The rest of the group in November

The other three teams have their own schedule, and it matters for Ukraine’s table.

  • Northern Ireland: after Ukraine they travel to Hungary on November 17
  • Hungary: away at Georgia on November 14, then at home against Northern Ireland three days later
  • Georgia: host Hungary on November 14 before the trip to face Ukraine

Hungary and Northern Ireland meet on the last day, so the top of the group may stay open until the final whistle. That helps Ukraine only if they take care of their own part first.

Check the table after Georgia and Hungary play on November 14. It will show what the game against Georgia on November 17 is really about.