PSV vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-11-26 20:00.
[p]The international break seemingly did nothing to affect PSV’s momentum, as they returned to thrash Groningen 5-0 for a third successive victory without conceding. At the Eredivisie summit, Peter Bosz’s men are also unbeaten in their last three UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches (W1, D2), and with that win coming in their most recent outing, they’re now chasing back-to-back wins in this competition for just the second time in their last seven UCL campaigns.[/p]
[p]The Dutch champions head into a first-ever H2H with Shakhtar Donetsk as heavy favourites, despite losing three of their last four meetings with Ukrainian opposition (W1). The reason PSV are more favoured surely comes down to their home form, as they’re unbeaten in each of their last 12 European games on their own turf (W7, D5), marking their best such run since going 22 without defeat between 2009 and 2012.[/p]
[p]Shakhtar arrive in Eindhoven in fine form and ready to upset the odds having avoided defeat in each of their last six outings since being beaten by Arsenal on matchday three of the UCL (W5, D1). The Pitmen made up ground in their chase for the knockout stages by earning their first win of the league phase against Young Boys last time out (2-1), though their other UCL performances have shown cause for concern (D1, L2).[/p]
[p]Shakhtar managed just two shots on target across those three games, highlighting a lack of firepower that could prove their undoing. That rings especially true on the road where they’ve won just twice in their last 14 European away matches (D2, L10), while a return of three defeats from four trips to the Netherlands (W1) – including a 7-1 thrashing at Feyenoord In March 2023 – highlights their vulnerability here.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: He may be yet to start a UCL game this season, but Ricardo Pepi’s stunning form in front of goal may just earn him a start here. The American has netted six times across his last four matches for club and country, most recently netting a hat-trick against Groningen on Saturday. Shakhtar forward Oleksandr Zubkov was on target before half-time on matchday four, part of a run of five of his last six goals arriving in the first half.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Pre-round, Shakhtar are one of five sides yet to score after half-time in this season’s UCL.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]