If most experts believe that the winner of gold awards in the UPL will be determined in a showdown between "Shakhtar" and "Dynamo," then in the second-rated domestic football division, the main contenders for promotion to the higher league are "Bukovyna" and "Metalist 1925."

The position of Kharkiv's team was not affected even by the recent resignation of well-known manager Viktor Syrnik after failing in an additional mini-tournament to replace "Dnipro-1" in the elite league. Instead, he will be replaced by Serhiy Karpenko, who previously led the reserve squad. He will be assisted by Vyacheslav Hadi and Andriy Tovt.

Under Karpenko's leadership, Slobozhans, who strengthened their lineup with several experienced players during the off-season, have already played a cup match against "Locomotiv" (Kyiv), confidently securing victory — 4:1.

As for "Bukovyna," after it declined the services of the top scorer in the first league last season, Vasyl Palagnyuk, there is no longer any native player from Chernihiv football in the team. Of course, if Valeriy Krivenkov's wards win, this will not be noticed, but in case of failure, demanding local fans will immediately bring up these nuances.

The fact that Bukovynians' path to the top will be thorny is already confirmed by their cup match in Ternopil, where they only managed to defeat the local "Niva" on penalties.

Who can compete with "Bukovyna" and "Metalist 1925"?

The already mentioned "Niva," which was led by Yevheniy Kalynichenko in the off-season, "Prykarpattia," which retained all its key players, and "Epizentrum." As for "Myna," which lost a whole group of starting lineup players, it will be difficult to secure a place in the main group.

Personnel losses are also being followed by another Zakarpattia team — "Khust." The wards of Volodymyr Tsytkin face a tough season. The same can be said about "Kremenchuk" and "Metallurg."

First League A. 1st Round

First League B. 1st Round