Shakhtar Donetsk vs Royal Antwerp FC Prediction: Champions League Match on 28.11.2023

Shakhtar Donetsk will go one-on-one against Royal Antwerp on Tuesday at Volksparkstadion for a Group H Champions League clash, which kickoff slated for 17:45 GMT.

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Key Highlights

Shakhtar Donetsk’s Chance of Making it Into the Knockout Stages of the Champions League

Shakhtar Donetsk have won twice and lost twice in their four matches in Group H. They have collected six points, placing them third in the group, three behind joint leaders Barcelona and Porto.

With two matches remaining, they have a chance of still making it into the knockout stages of the Champions League. They can bolster these chances by beating Antwerp on Tuesday, the Belgian Pro League side that have not collected a single point in their four outings in their Group H campaign.

Shakhtar Donetsk have scored six times and conceded seven goals in the process. They have shown a cutting edge and confidence to win matches. They will hope that they can get the points they need to be among the top two teams in Group H. 

A win for Shakhtar Donetsk will mean that Antwerp can no longer finish above them in the group. With a secured Europa League spot, they will look to overturn one of Porto or Barcelona to make it into the Champions League knockouts.

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Antwerp’s Winless and Pointless Run in Group H

The record for Antwerp in the Champions League group stage this season makes for grim reading. They have played four matches and lost all four.

They have managed just three goals while conceding 14 times in the four outings. They have zero points, rooting them to the bottom of Group H. 

Antwerp go into the match against Shakhtar Donetsk with no realistic chance of getting out of the bottom of the group with just two matches remaining. However, the gaffer will want the Belgian Pro League side to demonstrate pride to fight for the jersey and the fans when they take on Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

Fixing their defensive shape will be high among the priorities for Antwerp ahead of the trip to Germany to face Shakhtar Donetsk. They will look to be tight and compact in their approach and make it difficult for the Ukrainian side to create chances.

Injury Report

Shakhtar Donetsk

Shakhtar will be without Artem Bondarenko for the clash against Royal Antwerp. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder will be unavailable for selection as he nurses an unknown injury.

Lassina Traore will also be unavailable for selection ahead of the visit from Antwerp. The 22-year-old center-forward has been dealing with a tendon tear since August 19th, 2023. He is expected to be back fit by December 31st, 2023, ruling him out from Tuesday’s clash.

Shakhtar will also miss the services of left winger Ivan Petryak; the 29-year-old is dealing with an ankle injury that has sidelined him since March 14th, 2023.

Royal Antwerp

Royal Antwerp will miss the services of center-back Bjorn Engels; the 29-year-old is recovering from an Achilles heel problem he suffered on October 26th, 2023.

Right winger Anthony Valencia (fractured fibula shaft) and defensive midfielder Mandela Keita (knee injury) are also unlikely to be available for selection ahead of the trip to face Shakhtar Donetsk.

Antwerp will also miss Jacob Ondrejka, with the 21-year-old right winger recovering from a fracture on September 14th, 2023.

Possible Lineups

Shakhtar Donetsk

D. Riznyk; G. Gocholeishvili, V. Bondar, Y. Rakitskiy, M. Matviyenko; T. Stepanenko; O. Zubkov, D. Kryskiv, H. Sudakov, Newerton; D. Sikan

Royal Antwerp

J. Butez; J. Bataille, S. Coulibaly, T. Alderweireld, R. De Laet; A. Yusuf, A. Vermeeren; M. Balikwisha, J. Ekkerlenkamp, A. Muja

Prediction

Shakhtar Donetsk will be the favorites to win the match; they will win and take the three points to help them fight to qualify for the knockouts heading into the final match in Group H.

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