Shakhtar – Real Madrid

Both teams will need to figure out of way to stay safe at the back despite missing key defensive pieces, as Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Madrid square off in a key Champions League Group A match.

Shakhtar gained just three points in the first 4 rounds and, despite still having mathematical chances to finish second (PSG is 4 points ahead), they will most likely find themselves fighting for the third place in the last round. The Ukrainians are not the same team like in the past, losing key players and being unable to play at home due to the situation in Ukraine but, after playing extremely poor in the first three matches, they recovered some form to beat Malmo 4-0 and put together some domestic wins, making it 5 victories in a row now in all competitions.

Real Madrid is very close to a crisis, if they aren`t already in one. Los Blancos are on the back of a 0-4 home defeat to Barcelona, their second in a row after losing to Sevilla and fans are already looking for the heads of Perez and Benitez. Fortunately for Real, they are in a good position in this group with 10 points in 4 matches. They are already qualified and a win in Ukraine will guarantee they finish first. Anything less and they will most likely have to do the job in the last game against Malmo.

Bet on Shakhtar vs. Real Madrid with the highest Champions League odds at 1xBet.

Team news & lineups:

Kucher and Srna are out for Shakhtar, with Malyshev a doubt. Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Abner are unavailable for Real.

Shakhtar: Pyatov – Shevchuk, Rakitskiy, Ordets, Azevedo – Fred, Stepanenko – Marlos, Teixeira, Bernard – Gladkiy

Real Madrid: Navas – Carvajal, Pepe, Varane, Arbeloa – Kroos, Modric, James – Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema

Each side misses 2 crucial defensive pieces, making the under / over market look very interesting here. Both teams can play great attacking football on their day and this seems like it will be an overish match.

Shakhtar does not have much to lose, chances are they will finish third even if they get zero points from their last two games. They are not the team to sit back and defend and they paid the price so far allowing 7 goals from Real and PSG, but they will come in with the same attitude here, looking to get a win that, who knows, might allow them to fight it off with PSG for the second place in the last round. As for Real Madrid, they will obviously be desperate to redeem themselves after the El Clasico disaster, as well as booking the first place in the group.

Considering the DNA of these two sides, the circumstances and the missing defenders in both lineups, I will bet on goals. Real looks set to score at least a couple, while Shakhtar should take advantage of home court (even if it’s L’viv), improving form and Real’s situation to bang in at least one themselves. My tip here is over 2,5 goals. Prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk – Real Madrid 1-2.

Pick: over 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.65 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.20
Event date: 25 November