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November 5 2024, 11:55 · Alex Lawes

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Young Boys Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Champions League | League Phase

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Young Boys Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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This match is being played in the neutral venue of the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, waged by Russia. In difficult circumstances, Shakhtar Donetsk continue to do themselves proud as they now face Young Boys. 

KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Wednesday 6th October, 2024 - UK – 5:45pm / US ET – 12:45pm / US PT – 9:45am

HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised

HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+

SHAKHTAR DONETSK PREVIEW: TOUGH SITUATION

FIFA rules in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk lost several players for little if no fee and that has left them with a ravaged squad. That said, they have still managed to overperform expectation in recent seasons but do actually sit third in the Ukrainian Premier League table.

They began their 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign with a goalless draw in Italy against Bologna before then suffering a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Atalanta. That was followed up by a solid performance at the Emirates Stadium where they lost by just a solitary goal to nil against Arsenal. 

YOUNG BOYS PREVIEW: STRUGGLING YOUNG BOYS

In their most recent outing, Young Boys held Zurich to a goalless draw in Zurich after being down to ten men for the final stages of that game. They have struggled throughout the campaign in the Swiss Super League with the defending champions currently sitting tenth in the 12-team table having won just three of their 13 matches. 

In Europe, they pulled off a major upset to defeat Galatasaray in the playoff round but have started the league phase with three defeats from three. They were firstly beaten 3-0 by Aston Villa before a 5-0 hammering at the hands of Barcelona in Catalonia and then losing 1-0 to Internazionale in Berne.

SHAKHTAR DONETSK TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT

Shakhtar Donetsk have a fully fit and available squad for this week’s clash with Young Boys as they have no injury concerns or suspension issues for this one.

That does mean they are able to name an unchanged eleven for this one if they so choose with the key men being in attacking positions such as Heorhiy Sudakov and Eguinaldo. 

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Riznyk; Konoplya, Bondar, Matvyenko, Henrique; Bondarenko, Kryskiv; Zubkov, Eguinaldo, Sudakov; Sikan

UNAVAILABLE: 

QUESTIONABLE: 

YOUNG BOYS TEAM NEWS: SEVERAL DEFENSIVE ABSENTEES

Young Boys are dealing with several injury issues for this week’s clash in Gelsenkirchen as Young Boys have quite a few absentees such as Saidy Janko and Patric Pfeiffer.

As well as that injured defensive duo, the Swiss champions are also without defenders Mohamed Ali Camara, Abdu Conte, Tanguy Zoukrou and Miguel Chaiwa.

PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Von Ballmoos; Blum, Lauper, Benito, Athekame; Lakomy, Urgrinic; Virginius, Imeri, Monteiro; Ganvoula

UNAVAILABLE: Pfeiffer (Injured), Camara (Injured), Chaiwa (Injured), Conte (Injured), Hadjam (Injured), Janko (Injured), Zoukrou (Injured)

QUESTIONABLE: 

KEY STATS

  • Shakhtar Donetsk have won four of their last five UEFA competition matches against Swiss teams (L1).
  • Shakhtar Donetsk have lost only three of their previous 12 UEFA competition matches against Swiss teams (W8 D1).
  • Shakhtar Donetsk are without a win in their last six UEFA competition matches (D2 L4).
  • Shakhtar Donetsk have only failed to score in two of their previous 12 UEFA competition matches against Swiss teams.
  • If Shakhtar Donetsk fail to score, it will be the first time they have done so in four successive UEFA competition matches.
  • Young Boys have lost their last four matches in the UEFA Champions League proper. This is their longest sequence of successive defeats in the competition.
  • Young Boys have won only one of their last 14 matches in the UEFA Champions League proper (D3 L10).

SHAKHTAR DONETSK VS YOUNG BOYS PREDICTION

In the opening three matches for these two sides, they have combined for zero goals and are both languishing down towards the very bottom end of the UEFA Champions League league phase. Both have had tough matches but Young Boys have certainly had tougher games and their performances, both domestically and on the continent, have marginally improved, whilst Shakhtar have continued to struggle for goals in Ukraine. A low-scoring affair seems very likely regardless of the outcome. 

SHAKHTAR DONETSK VS YOUNG BOYS TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS