Real Madrid will look to get back to winning ways in the UEFA Champions League this Tuesday when they travel to Kyiv to face Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk.
Venue: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium (Kiev)
Key Statistics
Shakhtar Donetsk are unbeaten in their last six competitive games (W4, D2).
The home team have lost three of their last five games against La Liga teams
They have scored 39 times in 18 competitive games this season, conceding 12 times in that period.
Real Madrid are without a win in their last three games (D1, L2).
They have not lost back-to-back group stage games the same season in the Champions League since 2008.
The visitors have scored 24 and conceded 12 goals in ten competitive games played this season.
Head to head
This will be the fifth meeting between the two sides, with both sides enjoying two wins respectively in their previous four meetings.
Latest Performances
Shakhtar Donetsk: W-W-D-D-W
Real Madrid: W-W-D-L-L
Shakhtar Donetsk
After taking just one point from their opening two group stage games to leave them bottom of Group D, Shakhtar Donetsk will hope to get their first win in their UCL campaign when they welcome Real Madrid.
The Ukrainian side qualified for this stage of the tournament by defeating Monaco in the qualifying round and will look to make the most of their opportunity.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side were expected to at least finish in third place but have not been convincing this term.
Although that could change this tie as they head into this game with just one loss in their last 14 competitive games within 90 minutes.
However, their record of seven wins in 27 European games against Spanish opponents (D6, L14) does not inspire much confidence.
Meanwhile, Junior Moraes and Lassina Traore, both sidelined through knee injuries, are the only absentees for the ‘Miners’.
Possible Shakhtar starting line-ups
Andriy Pyatov; Serhiy Kryvtsov, Vitão, Marlon, Mykola Matviyenko; Maycon, Alan Patrick; Tetê, Dodo, Manor Solomon; Pedrinho.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have begun their 51st UEFA Champions League campaign with one win and a shocking loss, leaving them second in the group and trailing by three points.
After suffering two consecutive losses and going three games without a win, Carlo Ancelotti’s men will look to bounce back on Tuesday and get their season back on track.
Los Blancos have the quality to win this game and have won six of their last 1w UCL away games (D2, L4). They have scored 19 times in their seven games with Ukraine-based clubs.
However, they have won just two of their last seven games on Ukrainian soil (D4, L1).
Ancelotti has a long injury list to battle with, and will be without Gareth Bale, Dani Ceballos, Dani Carvajal, Marcelo, Ferland Mendy, Eden Hazard, Eder Militao, Mariano Diaz, David Alaba, and Marcos Asensio.
Possible Real Madrid starting line-ups
Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Jesus Vallejo, Nacho Fernández, David Alaba; Federico Valverde, Casemiro, Toni Kroos; Vinicius, Karim Benzema, Rodrygo.
Prediction
Real Madrid’s loss to Sheriff sent shock waves throughout Europe and proved that the Spanish giants are not indispensable. However, their loss was only an exception and not the rule.
They can bounce back in this game, but cannot afford to lose concentration against this Shakhtar side who are looking to stay in the Champions League.
