Inter are without a point after two Champions League fixtures. They really need to record a victory when Shakhtar Donetsk visit San Siro on Wednesday.

Lautaro Injury Leaves Inter Short Up Top

A 4-3 home defeat in a wide-open clash with Club Brugge leaves Inter with serious work to do just to make the top 24. A hamstring issue for talisman Lautaro Martínez means they’ll need to cope without their main attacking threat here.

Marcus Thuram and Pio Esposito should therefore form the front two. Thuram is in good form domestically, with four goals and two assists in six Serie A outings. However, he’s yet to make a goal contribution in the Champions League, despite averaging seven shots per game.

Benjamin Pavard, John Stones and Curtis Jones are also sidelined through injury, but Hakan Çalhanoğlu recently returned to fitness and should start. The Turkish midfielder has netted three times in seven club appearances this term.

Inter predicted lineup vs Shakhtar Donetsk (3-5-2): J. Martínez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Zieliński, Dimarco; Esposito, Thuram.

Regulars to Return for Shakhtar Donetsk After Weekend Rotation

A 3-1 victory over AEK Athens last week continued Shakhtar Donetsk’s solid start to this campaign. Arda Turan could field an identical starting lineup in this game, having rotated heavily in the league on Saturday.

That should mean Kauã Elias features up top. The 20-year-old has the pace to get in behind Inter’s back three, but he has gone seven games without a goal in all competitions.

Marlon Santos and Irakli Azarovi are both likely to miss out through injury for the visitors, who will be hoping Vinícius Tobias can deliver again at the back. The Brazilian is averaging 3.5 tackles per game in Europe.

Shakhtar Donetsk predicted lineup vs Inter (4-1-4-1): Riznyk; Vinícius Tobias, Bondar, Matviyenko, Pedro Henrique; Ocheretko; Alisson Santana, Marlon Gomes, Pedrinho, Newertton; Kauã Elias.

Inter vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Shakhtar Donetsk +3 Handicap
  • Odds: 1.28 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Inter 2-2 Shakhtar Donetsk
  • 22Bet Booking Code: U5AHB

Key stats:

  • Shakhtar Donetsk have avoided defeat in three of their past four meetings with Inter.
  • The Ukrainian champions have won their last six games in all competitions.
  • Inter have lost seven of their previous eight Champions League fixtures in a run stretching back to last November.

With an 83% win rate across all competitions and an unbeaten start in Europe, Shakhtar Donetsk cannot be discounted. Their young attacking talents are capable of asking questions of an Inter defence that has conceded six goals in two Champions League outings so far.

Cristian Chivu will be demanding a reaction from his side after a shock defeat a week ago. The main risk is an early Inter goal, but they won’t be as clinical in the final third without Lautaro. The Italians have lost their past four home fixtures in this competition, and backing Shakhtar with a +3 handicap is a safe pick at 1.28.

Inter vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Both teams to score
  • Odds: 1.74 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: VD2HB

There were 48 shots and 13 big chances in Inter’s 4-3 defeat to Brugge last Tuesday. Meanwhile, six of their last seven competitive matches have seen both teams score.

Shakhtar’s two European outings this term also delivered goals at each end. Backing a repeat here offers value at 1.74.

Verdict: Shakhtar Donetsk +3 Handicap (1.28) — Inter 2-2 Shakhtar Donetsk.