Shakhtar Donetsk is gearing up for an important conflict towards Royal Antwerp within the Champions League Group H as they purpose to safe a spot within the last-16 stage.
Match Preview
At the moment sitting in third place in Group H with six factors, Shakhtar Donetsk trails behind Barcelona and Porto by three factors.
The Ukrainian aspect has an opportunity to advance additional within the competitors however should overcome powerful opponents of their remaining fixtures.
Notably, Shakhtar delivered a surprising efficiency of their earlier match against Barcelona, securing a 1-0 victory with Danylo Sikan’s aim. This win propelled them to 6 factors within the group standings.
Though Shakhtar is at the moment third in Group H, their head-to-head report towards Barcelona gives them hope even if they lose to Antwerp.
Nonetheless, to safe a top-two place, they’ll doubtless have to win their last two matches towards Antwerp and Porto.
Underneath the steering of Marino Pusic, Shakhtar has skilled combined ends in the group stage. They suffered defeats towards Porto (at house) and Barcelona (away), however managed to say victories towards Antwerp (away) and Barcelona (house). Their current league match resulted in a goalless draw towards Polissya.
When it comes to their home efficiency, Shakhtar at the moment sits fourth of their home desk, trailing 5 factors behind leaders Kryvbas KR.
The membership’s final profitable enterprise into the Champions League knockout stage was in the course of the 2017-18 marketing campaign after they have been eradicated by Roma within the spherical of 16.
Royal Antwerp, however, confronted a difficult begin to their group-stage marketing campaign with a 5-0 defeat towards Barcelona. They later suffered a slim 3-2 loss to Shakhtar within the reverse fixture.
The Belgian outfit confronted consecutive defeats towards Porto, dropping 4-1 at house and 2-0 away. With zero factors from 4 matches, they at the moment occupy the underside place in Group H.
Nonetheless, there’s nonetheless a slim risk for them to safe third place and qualify for the Europa League.
Mark van Bommel’s aspect enters this match following a 1-1 draw with Sint-Truiden of their home league, leaving them in fifth place.
Regardless of profitable their fifth Belgian First Division title final season, Antwerp faces difficulties of their debut look within the Champions League group stage.
Their battle is clear from the three targets scored and 14 conceded within the competitors.
Shakhtar is poised to benefit from this and safe all three factors in the event that they carry out properly, particularly contemplating their current success towards Barcelona.
Shakhtar Donetsk Champions League type: W L W W
Shakhtar Donetsk type (all competitions): W L W W L D
Royal Antwerp Champions League type: W W L L L L
Royal Antwerp type (all competitions): L L W L W D
Crew Information:
Shakhtar Donetsk will depend on their main goalscorer, Danylo Sikan, who has netted six occasions this season, together with the essential winner towards Barcelona.
Nonetheless, Lassina Traore, Artem Bondarenko, and Ivan Petryak will miss the match because of accidents.
Oleksandr Zubkov, who has contributed three targets from midfield this season, will characteristic within the beginning lineup alongside Taras Stepanenko, an skilled presence within the midfield.
Antwerp might be with out Jurgen Ekkelenkamp because of a purple card obtained of their earlier match towards Porto.
Moreover, Bjorn Engels, Mandela Keita, Jacob Ondrejka, and Anthony Valencia are unavailable because of health points.
Eighteen-year-old Arthur Vermeeren, extremely thought to be among the finest younger skills in European football, might be a key participant for the Belgian aspect.
Vincent Janssen, with 9 targets in 22 appearances this season, will lead Antwerp’s assault.
Predicted Lineups:
Shakhtar Donetsk doable beginning lineup:
Riznyk;
Gocholeishvili, Bondar, Rakitskyi, Matvienko;
Zubkov, Kryskiv, Stepanenko, Sudakov, Newerton;
Sikan
Royal Antwerp doable beginning lineup:
Lammens;
De Laet, Van den Bosch, Coulibaly, Wijndal;
Yusuf, Vermeeren;
Kerk, Muja, Balikwisha;
Janssen
Prediction:
Contemplating Shakhtar Donetsk’s spectacular efficiency towards Barcelona, it’s anticipated that they’ll have the higher hand towards Antwerp.
Whereas the guests possess high quality that may trigger issues, Shakhtar ought to be capable to safe all three factors.
- Our Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 Royal Antwerp
