Shakhtar Donetsk vs Rennes Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 14/02/2023, 04:15  by Kennedy Kechula in Europa League Predictions

The Europa League resumes with the last-16 playoffs where one of the matches will have Shakhtar Donetsk host Rennes in the first of a two-legged tie this Thursday. The match will be played in Poland at the Polish Army Stadium owing to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Shakhtar are here after elimination from the Champions League where they finished third in Group F with six points. They managed eight goals and conceded a further 10 in their six matches in Europe’s premier competition. Shakhtar are second in the Ukrainian Premier League, five points off the pace and have won nine of their 13 matches. They have however not played a competitive match in almost three months with the league season on winter break. The time has been used to play friendlies. Igor Jovićević’s side has lost several key players in the recent transfer window, one of them being Mykhaylo Mudryk. The 22-year-old had scored seven times in the league for Shakhtar as well as three times in six Champions League matches this season. They surely will miss his offensive presence but they still have young forward Danylo Sikan in their ranks who has scored six times in the league this season.

Rennes have been in competitive action since their last outing in the Europa League but come to this match with poor form having won just three of their last eight matches. Bruno Génésio’s men have lost their last two matches by identical 3-1 scorelines. This has seen them drop out of the European qualifying places in the league. They were also dumped out of the Coupe de France last month. Their last four games have seen at least over 2.5 goals. Rennes finished second in their Europa League group with 12 points. This extended their unbeaten run in the competition to seven games (four wins and three draws). Just like Shakhtar, Rennes have seen several key players leave during the winter transfer window. However, they still do have Martin Terrier who has been involved in 13 goals this season in the league (nine goals and four assists). They also have Amine Gouiri who scored twice in the 3-0 win over Strasbourg and is now on nine goals.