Porto vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 13/12/2023, 06:52  by Daniel Ngulu in Champions League Predictions

FC Porto will host Shakhtar Donetsk in a winner-takes-all encounter in Group H of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. These two sides are tied on nine points, Porto second and Shakhtar third after their opening five matches. Porto have both the head-to-head and goal difference advantage coming into this game. They need just a draw here to finish second and proceed. The Portuguese giants beat Shakhtar 3-2 in the first meeting on Match Day 1. Wrapping up a double against the Ukrainians will be high on their wish list. They warmed up well for this, with a 3-1 win over Casa Pia in their domestic league. It was a much needed win to aid them stay level with league leaders Sporting Lisbon. Porto haven't failed to score in their last seven matches. However, they have no clean sheet in their last four games.

The pressure is on Shakhtar Donetsk coming into this game. They must win this game to stay on in the Champions League. Their place at the Europa League play-offs is assured if they fail to win here. The Ukrainians will not want to wander in that direction. The urge for a first ever win against Porto should guide them. In five meetings with Porto, Shakhtar managed two draws and three defeats. A repeat of these results won’t work for Shakhtar as far as the Champions League is concerned. They are coming from three straight wins, a perfect prep for this game. In their most recent match, they beat Veres Rivne 2-0 for their fourth straight clean sheet. While things haven't been as straightforward in the Champions League, two straight wins indicate they have what it takes. Shakhtar beat Barcelona and Antwerp in their last two Group H matches. These wins however came at home and they’ll want to do it away from home as well.