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Malmo FF and Shakhtar Donetsk square off in a match that will likely have great implications in the fight for a third place finish in Champions League’s Group A. The two teams lost both their games so far in the competition.
Despite losing to PSG and Real Madrid without scoring a goal, Malmo showed decent football, particularly on the defensive end. They lost honorably 0-2 in Paris and played even better against Real, being very close to equalize in the final 20 minutes before conceding a second for another 0-2 loss. Despite having a surprisingly poor season in Sweden (5th place), Malmo is looking better in Europe, just like they did last season and at home they are always a force to be reckoned with.
Shakhtar is on the back of a superb 3-0 win against Dynamo Kiev in Ukraine, beating the rivals on their own turf to gain the lead in the standings. However, Champions League football proved just how much the team has decreased after selling most top players. Losing to Real Madrid and PSG is not a surprise, but losing 4-0 in Spain and 3-0 in Lvov to PSG is a different matter. The visitors will hope that the win in Kiev will be a sign for better things to come.
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Team news & lineups:
Molins, Yotun and Azinovic are out for Malmo, while Shakhtar will have to do without Malyshev, Shevchuk and Taison.
Malmo: Wiland – Tinnerholm, Arnason, Bengtsson, Carvalho – Rodic, Lewicki, Adu, Berget – Rosenberg, Djurdjic
Shakhtar: Pyatov – Srna, Rakitskiy, Kucher, Ismaily – Fred, Stepanenko – Marlos, Teixeira, Bernard – Gladkiy
Malmo made a lot of investments in the summer, bringing in good players and if for some reasons things haven’t worked out domestically, in Europe they increase their level – just remember the great qualification over Salzburg. Motivation might be the factor for this and today Malmo will be extra focused, knowing that a win will get them in pole position for a third place finish. The hosts targeted this game since before the group stage started and they reaffirmed their motivation to play well tactically, not make mistakes and win in the press conference.
While sitll a good side, Shakhtar is weaker than ever this season, the problems in Ukraine hurt them badly and it will be a very hard task for them to win at such a difficult ground. Indeed, the win against Dynamo Kiev was the best match they played all season, but it could have affected them physically – which is not good news ahead of a long trip to Sweden.
Malmo is always strong at home in Europe and they should at least get a draw – a result which won`t disappoint Shakhtar too much. My tip is Malmo to cover the +0,5 handicap. Prediction: Malmo FF – Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0.
Pick: Malmo +0,5
Odds: 2.14 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 9.12
Event date: 21 October
