Date: 13 December 2023
Kick-Off: 20:00 UK, 21:00 CET
Venue: Estádio do Dragão
TV: TNT Sports
Contents
Porto vs Shakhtar Donetsk: Top free betting tips
Porto face Shakhtar Donetsk in a huge Champions League clash at the Estadio do Dragao on Wednesday 13 December. Both sides are locked together on nine points in Group H which makes this match a winner-takes-all all in terms of qualification to the round of 16. Our Porto vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction is for the home side to take home the three points, mainly due to how poor Shakhtar are away from home.
Match result prediction: Porto to win
Porto have been impressive at home in recent months and have won five of their last six matches at the Estadio do Dragao. The Portuguese outfit's only loss at home this season came against Barcelona and we can't see Shakhtar becoming the second team based on their European away record. Shakhtar have won just two of their last Champions League away matches to they've got a huge task on Wednesday to qualify.
Both teams to score prediction: Yes
Although Porto's have the best defensive record in Portugal, they have a job on their hands to keep Shakhtar quiet on Wednesday night as the Ukrainians have only failed to score a goal on one occasion since August 2022. If they can score away at Barcelona then they can score at Porto.
Correct score prediction: Porto 2-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
There is a lot riding on this game for both teams so we don't expect one to run away with it. We expect the first half to be cagey but for it to open up in the second half. The only thing that gives Porto the edge here is their home support but we expect that will be enough to secure them a narrow, but very important, victory.
Porto vs Shakhtar Donetsk team news
Porto predicted lineup vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Porto were blessed a straightforward fixture at the weekend so were able to rotate some of their team. Unfortunately, they will be without Ivan Jaime for the match against Shakhtar after the midfielder hobbled off against Casa Pia. Gabriel Veron and Ivan Marcano are also out, however, Zaidu Sanusi and David Carmo are both back in a huge boost to their defensive hopes.
Costa – Mario, Pepe, Cardoso, Sanusi – Pepe, Varela, Eustaquio, Galeno – Evanilson, Taremi
Shakhtar Donetsk predicted lineup vs Porto
Shakhtar have a few injury concerns of their own with Lassina Traore, Yukhym Konoplya and Ivan Petrak all out. One player to keep an eye on for the Ukrainians is Georgiy Sudakov. The 21-year-old playmaker is reportedly attracting interest from big clubs across Europe, including Manchester United, and this game will be a good test to see how he copes in a high-pressure environment.
Riznyk – Gocholeishvili, Mavienko, Bondar, Azarovi – Stepanenko, Bondarenko; Zubkov, Sudakov, Newerton – Sikan
How far will Shakhtar fans travel to Porto?
Under normal circumstances, Shakhtar fans have a long trip ahead of them to get to Porto from Donetsk as both cities are on opposite sides of Europe. However, due to travel restrictions in Ukraine, it is impossible for Donetsk-based fans to get to Porto and back home again so all Shakhtar fans in the away end on Wednesday night will be fans who aren't located in Ukraine.
Porto vs Shakhtar: Tickets
Porto have sold out all of their tickets for the match against Shakhtar Donetsk which isn't surprising given the magnitude of the occasion. Most tickets were sold to season ticket holders and official members but some tickets did go on general sale. There are still some hospitality options available which can be purchased via the Porto website. Shakhtar understandably haven't sold out their away section and it is unclear how full that part of the ground will be.
FAQs: Porto vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Which group are Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk in? Both clubs are in Group H
Who are the favourites to win? Porto are the favourites at 2/5.
Which team won the previous Porto vs Shakhtar game? Porto won the last head to head 3-1.
How big is the Estadio do Dragao? The Estadio do Gragao has a capacity of 50,033.