Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 29/11/2020, 04:52  by James | Modified on 29/11/2020 at 05:52 in Champions League Predictions

Real Madrid travel to Ukraine for a crucial Group B game in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night. Victories over Inter Milan gave Madrid seven points from four matches, a tally which puts them in second place going into matchday five. Shakhtar, meanwhile, are third in the table with four points from as many games. Madrid, who have won the Champions League a record 13 times, will be looking to get revenge for the humiliating defeat Shakhtar inflicted upon them on the opening night of the campaign. A severely-depleted Shakhtar fielded an effective B team, which made their 3-2 victory all the more astonishing. Results since that victory have validated the shock fans felt about that result with Shakhtar drawing against Inter before losing two games to Borussia Monchengladbach by an aggregate score of 10-0. Domestic fixtures offer respite to Shakhtar, who are unbeaten in their last 20 matches in the Ukrainian Premier League. 

Madrid did not bounce back from that aforementioned home defeat immediately, requiring a last-minute goal to scrape a draw at Gladbach on the following matchday. However, back-to-back victories over Inter Milan have put them in a position from which they can qualify. The domestic form of Madrid is cause for worry - the 2-1 home defeat to Alaves on Saturday was their third consecutive La Liga match without a win. Eden Hazard will miss this game through injury after limping off against Alaves. Another key player who Madrid may be missing is Sergio Ramos, the Spain international who brings calm to their defence. Shakhtar have failed to score in their last three Champions League fixtures but a rematch with Madrid, who have conceded in eight of their previous nine matches, could be the tonic for that problem in front of goal. Back Madrid to win and both teams to score.