SK Poltava
- SK Poltava are in deep relegation trouble, sitting 16th in the Premier League 2025/2026 standings with only 12 points from 26 games.
- Poltava have been in dreadful form since the start of 2025 and are in real danger of a quick return to the second-tier if they do not turn their season around.
- The hosts have won 0, drawn 2 and lost 1 in their 3 home games since the turn of the year, and are currently at the bottom of the Premier League 2025/2026 table.
- The hosts have only won 1 of their 13 home matches in the Premier League 2025/2026, drawing 3 and losing 9.
- Poltava have attempted to combat their struggles by employing manager Pavlo Matviychenko at the start of July 2025.
- Matviychenko has attempted to build a solid foundation for his team, employing a deep low block, with a 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-2 setup depending on personnel availability, and playing with low tempo.
- Poltava are not a naturally expansive side and prefer to play quick vertical passes when the ball is won back, but their leaky defence has seen the team concede 2.54 goals per home game in the Premier League 2025/2026, while scoring 0.92 per game at the other end.
- Maksim Marusich has been the main attacking outlet for Poltava this season, scoring 3 goals in 16 appearances in the Premier League 2025/2026.
Shakhtar Donetsk
- Shakhtar Donetsk’s 2025/2026 season has been nothing short of spectacular, with Arda Turan’s men sitting atop the Premier League 2025/2026 with 63 points from 26 matches.
- Shakhtar have had an excellent start to the calendar year, with 4 wins and 1 draw from their last 5, including back-to-back away wins against FK Kudrivka and FC Dynamo Kiev in the Premier League 2025/2026.
- Shakhtar have an excellent away record this season, with 8 wins and 5 draws from 13 matches on the road, and their only recent defeat came against Crystal Palace in the UEFA Conference League 2025/2026.
- Shakhtar’s attack is led by the fearsome Prosper Obah, with the forward having netted 8 goals in 22 Premier League 2025/2026 appearances this campaign.
- Arda Turan has implemented a dynamic and fast-paced system since taking charge of Shakhtar in July 2025, with the team attempting to play a possession-based game, with high pressing and wide players attempting to stretch the opposition out.
- Shakhtar have not allowed many goals this term, averaging just 0.69 goals per away game in the Premier League 2025/2026, but this should be an interesting test of the solidity of their defence against Poltava’s deep block.
- Shakhtar are heavy favorites to win this game, and for good reason, as there is a huge difference in the quality of the two teams, as well as the quality of their respective seasons.
Key Players
- Maksim Marusich has been the main attacking outlet for Poltava this season, scoring 3 goals in 16 appearances in the Premier League 2025/2026.
- Shakhtar’s attack is led by the fearsome Prosper Obah, with the forward having netted 8 goals in 22 Premier League 2025/2026 appearances this campaign.
Betting Insights
Shakhtar are heavy favorites to win this game, reflecting the clear gulf in form and quality between the sides.
Prediction
Shakhtar to win and both teams to score - Yes , at a big price of 3.72 , is our prediction for this match, as we expect Shakhtar to run riot, but believe Poltava may be able to nick a goal.
