Will Real Madrid take a big step towards the last 16?
Real Madrid have already shown two different faces this season. That also applies to the matches in the UEFA Champions League. Against Shakhtyor Donetsk, the Ukrainians are looking for another win, but they will not give up without a fight.
The first leg was clearly in favour of the royals. And also before the second leg between Real Madrid and Shakhtyor Donetsk, the odds show that a victory for Real Madrid is very likely. Probable, but not guaranteed. The Ukrainians already won in Madrid in the previous season.
The royals are desperate to prevent a repeat of this event. The game in Madrid kicks off on Wednesday at the early hour of 18.45.
Real Madrid – Statistics & current form
Real Madrid’s season can definitely be described as good at the moment, but not very good. Isolated slip-ups in the league and also in the Champions League have left their mark. Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who likes to act as an administrator, has not yet developed the team to the point where the optimum is close. Nevertheless, second place in La Liga and a good starting position in the Champions League have emerged.
A win against Shakhtyor Donetsk would in any case put Real Madrid in a very good position. The first leg was already very clear, and the team from the Spanish capital is determined to repeat the result and the performance in the second leg. At the weekend, there was a narrow 2:1 victory in Elche, which is emblematic of the season. The royals did not shine, but the result was right.
Ahead of the Real Madrid vs. Shakhtyor Donetsk match, the odds from the best bookmakers prove that the bettors are very clearly assuming a victory for Ancelotti’s eleven. The odds for a bet on a simple victory for Real Madrid are hardly worth mentioning.
Real Madrid vs. Donetsk: goals, goals, goals
All the more interesting is a look at the odds, which are related to many goals scored. Real Madrid and Shakhtyor Donetsk are known for going full throttle when they face each other. 4.6 goals are scored on average when these teams go head-to-head. The first leg was also a high-scoring affair, but the scoreline was very lopsided in favour of Ancelotti’s side.
With a win, Real Madrid would have nine points on their account and could look ahead to the parallel match between Inter and Sheriff, which takes place in the evening. The starting position in the fight for the group victory would be formidable with three points more on the account. One player who should make the difference is once again Vinicius Junior, who is having an outstanding season and scored twice at the weekend.
Real Madrid’s attack can dismantle any opponent on a good day. The same goes for the Ukrainians, who already showed in the first leg that they are vulnerable. Therefore, before the Real Madrid vs. Shakhtyor Donetsk match, our tip is that the royals will win by more than one goal difference.
Predicted Real Madrid line-up:
Courtois – Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Nacho – Casemiro, Camavinga, Kroos – Asensio, Vinicius Jr., Benzema
Last matches played by Real Madrid:
LaLiga
10/30 2021 – Elche 1 – 2 Real Madrid
10/27 2021 – Real Madrid 0 – 0 Osasuna Pamplona
10/24 2021 – Barcelona 1 – 2 Real Madrid
Champions League Grp. D
10/19 2021 – Shakhtar Donetsk 0 – 5 Real Madrid
LaLiga
10/03 2021 – Espanyol 2 – 1 Real Madrid
Shakhtjor Donetsk – Statistics & current form
The guests from Shakhtyor Donetsk are actually known as an unpleasant opponent. The problem is that the team has not yet been able to bring that to the pitch this season. The Ukrainians have yet to score a single goal in the Champions League after three games, with only two other clubs (Kiev and Malmö) just as bad in that record. That creates a problem, because in pre-season Donetsk were able to win twice against Real Madrid mainly because of offensive elements.
So offensive momentum can and must be a way to annoy Real Madrid. At the same time, coach Roberto de Zerbi’s Ukrainians must be more compact defensively than they were in the first leg.
The role of outsider does not play a major role here, as the club already held this role in the match in Ukraine. In the domestic league, Schachtjor are in second place behind Dynamo Kiev with 32 points from 13 games, but the situation here is much better than in the top flight.
Shakhtyor Donetsk need the perfect day
At the weekend, the Ukrainians showed that they can play very good football. Despite a bit of rotation, the dress rehearsal against Desna Chernigiv was won 4:1. Due to the fact that Real Madrid keep showing weaknesses in defence and Donetsk have to play forward, our value tip before the Real Madrid vs. Shakhtyor Donetsk match is that more than 3.5 goals will be scored.
In any case, the Ukrainians need an outstanding day to take something with them in Madrid. The quality in the team is undoubtedly high and coach de Zerbi can certainly be called an absolute expert.
Predicted line-up of Shakhtyor Donetsk:
Trubin – Dodo, Matvienko, Marlon, Ismaily – Stepanenko, Maycon, Marcos Antonio, Solomon, Tete – Marlos
Last matches played by Shakhtyor Donetsk:
Premier League
10/30 2021 – Shakhtar Donetsk 4 – 1 Desna
Cup
10/27 2021 – Chornomorez Odessa 0 – 3 Shakhtar Donetsk
Premier League
10/23 2021 – Vorskla Poltava 0 – 2 Shakhtar Donetsk
Champions League Grp. D
10/19 2021 – Shakhtar Donetsk 0 – 5 Real Madrid
Premier League
10/15 2021 – Shakhtar Donetsk 6 – 1 FK Sorja Luhansk
Real Madrid – Shakhtar Donetsk Direct comparison / H2H record
Five games, 23 goals: when these two teams meet, it cracks! Real Madrid won three games, Shakhtyor Donetsk the two remaining duels. So the tendency is in favour of the royals.
Real Madrid – Shakhtyor Donetsk Tip
Real Madrid have a lot of advantages on their side ahead of this match. The Royals have more points under their belt, are in slightly better form and are under less pressure. The visitors are still waiting for their first goal in this CL season. So the signs are clear.
The impressions from the first leg and the permanent rise in form of players like Vinicius Junior make the hosts optimistic. Therefore, before the Real Madrid vs. Shakhtyor Donetsk match, our tip is that the hosts will win by more than one goal difference.
