Celtic-Shakhtar Donetsk is a match valid for the fifth day of the group stage of the Champions League and is played on Tuesday at 21:00: statistics, likely formations, predictions, live TV and streaming
On one side we have a team, Celtic, who have already shelved their dream of snatching qualification for the round of 16 and are aiming to limit the damage by staying in the race for third place and relegation to the Europa League. On the other side of the table we have Shakhtar Donetsk, who absolutely need three points to keep their hopes of qualifying for the round of 16. They are hoping for good news from Leipzig, where Real Madrid – already sure of qualification for the knockout phase – must at least draw to win first place a day early. The Germans currently have six points in the standings, one more than the Ukrainians. By overtaking them, the Orange would then have the chance, in seven days’ time, to play for two results out of three in the direct clash that will in all likelihood decide who will go through as second behind Carlo Ancelotti’s Blancos, who are now unreachable.
After drawing 1-1 against the reigning European champions on the neutral pitch in Warsaw, Shakhtar beat Dinamo Kiev and Kolos Kovalivka in the league, scoring six goals in total and continuing their pursuit of surprise leaders Dnipro-1. The double defeat in the Champions League against Leipzig, on the other hand, did not affect the Scots’ progress in the Premiership, where Ange Postecoglou’s men remain +4 from arch-rivals Rangers. Celtic were unstoppable at home: between the league and the League Two, they scored a total of 14 goals against Hibernian, Motherwell and Hearts, confirming their offensive devastation with 39 goals scored in just 11 matches.
Jovicevic, Shakhtar coach
The Prediction
Celtic’s performance in the Champions League has been decidedly disappointing so far: the green-and-whites from Glasgow, formidable in their home country, have picked up just one point in four games, the result of a draw at Shakhtar Donetsk (1-1 first leg). It will be a lively clash in Scotland, between two teams who need to win and for whom a draw would serve little purpose. We believe in a redemption from the hosts, who should be able to make the pitch count this time. Celtic therefore favourites in a match of at least three goals overall.
Celtic v Shakhtar Donetsk likely line-up
- CELTIC (4-2-3-1): Hart; Juranović, Carter-Vickers, Jenz, Taylor; O’Riley, Hatate; Abada, Hakšabanović, Jota; Furuhashi.
- SHAKHTAR DONETSK (4-1-4-1): Trubin; Mykhaylichenko, Bondar, Matviyenko, Konoplia; Stepanenko; Zubkov, Bondarenko, Sudakov, Mudryk; Sikan.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
