- Shakhtar Donetsk are flying high in the UPL and European competition, consistently winning in both.
- Obolon are mid-table in the UPL standings, where Shakhtar are top.
- Shakhtar have won all four recent Ukrainian Premier League head-to-heads since Obolon’s return to the top flight, all with clean sheets and multi-goal margins.
Two contrasting tactical approaches will meet in Kyiv
Shakhtar Donetsk will face no significant tactical challenge from Obolon Kiev, whose coach Oleksandr Antonenko is a pragmatist by nature, when the two teams meet at the Obolon Arena in Kyiv on Saturday. Shakhtar coach Arda Turan has instilled in his side a modern approach based on high pressing, ball possession, high-tempo attacking play and fluidity in their 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 system. His early days in charge have been a roaring success as Shakhtar have continued their domestic dominance while showing themselves to be a force in Europe.
Our FC Obolon Kiev vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction takes into account Obolon as a well-disciplined 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 operation that plays to their strengths and tries to cover up their weaknesses. Antonenko is a stickler for organisation and discipline and will set up a low-to-mid block, selective pressing and hope to frustrate their visitors while looking to strike on the counterattack. They have some big, powerful players to cause problems for opponents when they get the ball and others that can work well to create space in the box.
The hosts have won two, lost two and drawn one of their last five competitive games with an early-season 0 - 4 home defeat to Polissia the blot on their copy book. The two wins came away from home at Epitsentr and SC Poltava, but Antonenko’s men can be exposed at home by the more skilled and quicker attacks in the UPL - and the FC Obolon Kiev vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction strongly favors Shakhtar, who are in a class of their own in Ukraine right now.
Shakhtar have the quality to win at both ends
Viktor Bliznichenko and Oleh Slobodian are Obolon’s main attacking outlets and the pair are always looking for opportunities to break into the penalty area, where they are usually the targets of short-range passes from midfield. Vladyslav Pryimak and Denys Ustymenko give Obolon a solid foundation to defend from, but also create danger from set pieces and transitions.
For those looking for FC Obolon Kiev vs Shakhtar Donetsk betting tips, Turan has given the side an energy that makes them a threat from anywhere on the pitch. Heorhii Sudakov is the creative engine and most reliable goalscorer while Artem Bondarenko brings a box-to-box element to the side and is also among the most prolific scorers in the squad this season. Shakhtar have a depth of talent at the wide attacking positions that can be rotated for European matches, but Kevin and Eguinaldo are two of the most dangerous in their line-up. Eguinaldo scored in the March return fixture win at Obolon while Kevin has provided goals and assists in recent matches.
This FC Obolon Kiev vs Shakhtar Donetsk preview notes that the odds on Shakhtar to win are very short - 1.35 - and Obolon are huge long shots at 9.0 with the draw available at 4.65. Although the ‘Both Teams to Score’ odds are only 1.53, a ‘Shakhtar Win to Nil’ wager would be a smart way to go, given their recent head-to-head record. The FC Obolon Kiev vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction is that Shakhtar are expected to dominate this game as they have the last four times they have met, but Obolon could do with a draw to help guarantee mid-table security while a win will keep Shakhtar at the top of the table and maintain their momentum into European action.
