Second-place Porto is preparing for a thrilling matchup against third-place Shakhtar Donetsk at Estadio do Dragao. It’s a winner-take-all matchup for an important position in the last 16 of Champions League Group H. Due to their earlier victory over Shakhtar, Porto has an advantage in the fight for qualifying even though both teams are level at nine points. If you are interested in sports betting, then you can earn some money through betting on your favorite teams on Orbit Exchange.
Porto vs Shakhtar Team News
Porto
Porto’s recent triumph over Casa Pia did come with a minor setback as midfielder Ivan Jaime sustained a leg injury. However, his absence is unlikely to impact the starting XI for this crucial encounter. The treatment room also houses Gabriel Veron, Ivan Marcano, Wendell, and Samuel Portugal. Notably, Galeno is poised to make a return, filling the void left by Jaime’s injury. Defensive stalwarts David Carmo and Zaidu Sanusi are set to fortify the lineup, and there’s optimism around Joao Mario overcoming a thigh issue in time for the match.
Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar, on the other hand, faces the absence of key attackers Lassina Traore and Ivan Petryak due to tendon and ankle issues. Right-back Yukhym Konoplya is also sidelined with an unspecified concern. Danylo Sikan steps into Traore’s shoes, with a watchful eye on his disciplinary record. Georgiy Sudakov, playing off the number nine, aims to impress potential suitors Manchester United and Chelsea.
Also Read: Who is the legend of football and the most expensive football player in the world?
Porto vs Shakhtar Possible Starting Lineups
Porto’s Possible Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper (GK): Diogo Costa
- Defenders (DEF):
- Wilson Mario
- Pepe
- Diogo Cardoso
- Zaidu Sanusi
- Midfielders (MID):
- Pepe (assuming a duplicate entry, corrected in the lineup)
- Vitor Ferreira (Varela)
- Filipe Eustaquio
- Galeno
- Forwards (FOR):
- Mehdi Taremi
- Evanilson
Read more: Who is The King of Football?
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Possible Starting Lineup:
- Goalkeeper (GK): Anatoliy Riznyk
- Defenders (DEF):
- Luka Gocholeishvili
- Valeriy Bondar
- Mykola Matvienko
- Artem Azarovi
- Midfielders (MID):
- Taras Stepanenko
- Oleksandr Bondarenko
- Manor Solomon (Zubkov – assuming a change in name for clarity)
- Georgiy Sudakov
- Marlos Newerton
- Forward (FOR):
- Danylo Sikan
Match Prediction
We predict that Porto will win 2-1 over Shakhtar Donetsk in this thrilling match. Even though Shakhtar is a strong defensive team, they might compromise on their defensive philosophies to secure a historic victory over Porto. Porto’s skilled offensive group may be able to take advantage of counterattacks as Shakhtar pushes men forward, guaranteeing their spot in the round of 16 and sending the visitors to the Europa League. In conclusion, we predict an exciting match between two strong teams. This matchup promises big stakes and fierce competition. As the drama plays out at Estadio do Dragao, stay tuned for live updates and in-depth analysis.
Bet on the best Betting Exchange sites with our expert tips. If you want to bet on this match, then try out the Orbit x Exchange.
There are more different betting information on Germany betting exchange.