Shakhtar Donetsk vs Brest prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-21 17:45.
[p]More than a month after playing the most recent of their two consecutive competitive losses, Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk will look to change their fortunes in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) where they start matchday seven outside the top-24 (W1, D1, L4). Their chances of progressing into the UCL knockout stages for the first time since 2017/18 look slim unless the Miners dig deep to bounce back after consecutive defeats this campaign, conceding eight goals across losses to PSV and Bayern Munich.[/p]
[p]The 5-1 defeat to Bayern in that sequence came at the neutral venue of Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, which is serving as their âhomeâ venue owing to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Two UCL defeats out of three at this venue (W1) doesnât inspire confidence, but first-half performance could be key as all three games were won by the team that was in front at half-time.[/p]
[p]Brest are flying high in their debut UEFA main draw appearance, starting this matchday in seventh place (W4, D1, L1), and they travel here on the back of three consecutive 2-1 wins in all competitions, leading at half-time on each occasion. Extending that streak would see the Pirates match the exploits of Lyon in the 2000/01 campaign, the last French club to win five games in their debut UCL season.[/p]
[p]Manager Ăric Roy is also on the cusp of personal glory, as he could become only the second French manager to win five games in seven or fewer UCL matches, but heâll need a change of fortunes on the road to do so. Brest lost five of their last six away competitive games against top-flight opposition (W1), including a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona on matchday five, where they missed a chance to become the first French club in 25 years to go unbeaten in their first five UCL matches.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Georgiy Sudakov has happy memories of this venue, assisting and scoring their goals in a 2-1 win over Young Boys on matchday four. Ludovic Ajorque scored Brestâs last goal of the match with his last five strikes, four of which came on the road.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: All five of Shakhtarâs goals in this UCL campaign were scored in the first half.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Sridhar B[/i][/p]