Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona Betting Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 UEFA Champions League | Group Stage
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona on and what time does it start? Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona will take place on Tuesday 7th November, 2023 – 17:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona on in the UK? Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona in the UK? Shakhtar Donetsk vs Barcelona can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
SHAKHTAR DONETSK
Despite Shakhtar Donetsk having lost two of their three Group H fixtures so far, they are still very much in the frame for knockout qualification with three points separating them from second-placed Porto as it stands. They can take huge heart from their last game against Barcelona, which saw them lose 2-1, but put up a real fight, getting a goal back in the second half and putting the hosts into serious pressure.
Since then, Shakhtar have played two and won two in all competitions, not conceding on either occasion. One of those victories was against Dynamo Kyiv with Oleksandr Zubkov scoring the winning goal in the second half. They’ll need to be as strong defensively if they are to get a positive result in this one.
BARCELONA
Barcelona have enjoyed a perfect group stage campaign so far, winning all three matches, scoring eight goals and conceding just once. They top Group H and boast a three-point gap between them and Porto. Their last Champions League game saw them quickly establish a two-goal lead over Shakhtar and despite conceding in the second half, did enough to hold out for the victory.
Since that game though, Barcelona were beaten 1-2 by Real Madrid in El Clasico but have since responded with a last-gasp 0-1 win away at Real Sociedad, defender Ronald Araujo scoring in the 92nd minute. This ensures that they head into the Champions League high on confidence and momentum.
THE TEAM NEWS
SHAKHTAR DONETSK
Shakhtar may not look to change too much compared to their game in Spain when taking into account the performance and them only narrowly losing. It wouldn’t be surprised to see them line-up in a 4-2-3-1 formation again with the same back four, despite the availability of experienced defender Yaroslav Rakitskyi.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Riznyk; Konoplya, Bondar, Matviyenko, Azarovi; Stepanenko, Nazaryna; Zubkov, Sudakov, Kryskiv; Sikan
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
BARCELONA
Central midfielder Frenkie De Jong’s ankle injury means that he won’t be available again for Barcelona and neither will Sergi Roberto, who has a calf problem. After missing the home match against Shakhar, striker Robert Lewandowski is back fit after having started in his side’s most recent win over Sociedad and should feature from the start again here.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Kounde, Araujo, Balde; Lopez, Gundogan, Gavi; Torres, Lewandowski, Felix
UNAVAILABLE: De Jong (Injured), Roberto (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Barcelona will know that one more win guarantees them a place in the knockout stage with two rounds of games remaining and with the players at their disposal, they should dominate the majority of this contest. They’ll need to be aware of Shakhtar’s offensive threat and them scoring in the reverse fixture is testament to that. But over the course of 90 minutes, class is expected to tell and backing Barcelona to emerge victorious has to be favoured.
TIP: BARCELONA TO WIN
