England captain Steven Gerrard says he and his teammates are expecting a flying start from Ukraine when the teams clash in Tuesday's pivotal World Cup qualifier in Kiev.
.
While England are seeking a win that would send them three points clear at the top of European qualifying Group H with two games to play, Ukraine also know that victory would catapult them to the top of the pool.
.
The sides have met twice in the last 15 months, with England winning 1-0 in a group-stage match in Donetsk at Euro 2012 before snatching a late 1-1 draw at Wembley last September.
.
"Having watched quite a bit of Ukraine and played against them a couple of times, I think they won't change," Gerrard told journalists on the eve of the game.
.
"They put a lot of energy into the first half an hour of every game they play. They press high and use a lot of energy up, so I'm sure it'll be the same tomorrow (Tuesday) night.
.
"It's important we defend well in the early stages and I think the longer the game goes on, the better chance we've got of getting the win."
.
Gerrard highlighted wingers Andriy Yarmolenko and Yevhen Konoplyanka as Ukraine's danger men and said the configuration of Mykhaylo Fomenko's side gave them no option but to take the game to England.
Steven Gerrard will always be a fantastic footballer for England and Liverpool FC so they are both lucky to have him!