Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid: UCL Group Stage Match Preview, Predicted Line-ups and Dream11 Predictions

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid is the upcoming fixture in the UEFA Champions League group stage matchday 4, live from the National Sports Complex "Olympiyskiy" in Donetsk.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid: Match Preview:

Real Madrid come into the game against Shakhtar Donetsk on the back of a narrow win over Getafe in La Liga. And they will be full of confidence and momentum right now.

On the other hand, the home side had their weekend game postponed, and the players will be well-rested and raring to go for this one.

Their last outing was the game against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and the Spanish giants picked up a 2-1 win. The Ukrainian outfit will fancy their chances of getting something from Tuesday's game, especially in front of their own fans.

Real Madrid are currently on top of Group F with nine points from three outings. And a victory here would confirm their place in the knockout rounds of the competition. Shakhtar are second in their group with four points from three outings. RB Leipzig are breathing down their necks in third place, and the hosts cannot afford to slip up.

Team News:

Shakhtar:

Shakhtar Donetsk will be without the services of Viktor Korniyenko. Other than that, Igor Jovicevic has a fully-fit squad to choose from against Real Madrid.

The Ukrainian outfit are likely to continue in the usual 4-1-4-1 setup, and they will look to attack Real Madrid. Shakhtar do not prefer to set back and absorb pressure, and this could be an open contest with a fair few chances for either side.

Anatoliy Trubin is set to start in goal. Lucas Taylor and Yukhym Konoplya should continue as the full-backs. They will be expected to contain the likes of Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde and provide some much-needed width going forward. Valeriy Bondar and Mykola Matviyenko are likely to partner each other at the heart of the Shakhtar defence.

Taras Stepanenko will be deployed in his usual position as the defensive midfielder. The experienced Ukrainian will be expected to break up the play and win the ball back for his side while setting up transitions on the counter.

Shakhtar will look to use their wide options to cause problems for Real Madrid, and they are blessed with two exciting wingers in Marian Shved and Mykhaylo Mudryk. Both players have been impressive this season, and their performances have caught a lot of attention in the Champions League.

Artem Bondarenko and Heorhii Sudakov will be the central midfielders for the home side, and they will look to support Stepanenko defensively and create chances for the attacking players as well. Oleksandr Zubkov will lead the line for the hosts.

Real Madrid:

Carlo Ancelotti was without Thibaut Courtois and Dani Ceballos against Getafe, and both players miss out here as well. Ancelotti confirmed earlier this week that Ceballos will be out for two to three weeks, and Courtois will likely return for El Clasico.

Real Madrid should continue with their usual 4-3-3 formation here. Andriy Lunin was deployed as the goalkeeper in the absence of Courtois against Getafe, and he will continue between the sticks here.

Dani Carvajal will retain his place as the right-back and Ferland Mendy is expected to come in as the left-back after earning some rest in the previous game. Eder Militao produced an exceptional display against Getafe and will likely start here alongside Antonio Rudiger.

In the central midfield, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos should start alongside Aurelien Tchouameni. The Frenchman will look to break up play and win the ball back, while Modric and Kroos will dictate the tempo of the game and create chances for their teammates.

Rodrygo had an underwhelming outing against Getafe, and Karim Benzema is expected to return for this one. The French striker earned some rest at the weekend. Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde should feature as the wide forwards.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid: Head to Head:

Real Madrid have a good record against Shakhtar Donetsk and have won four of the six matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Shakhtar Donetsk's two victories.

After a brief spell of victories in the 2020-21 campaign, Shakhtar Donetsk have lost each of their last three matches against Real Madrid.

The three previous home games for Shakhtar Donetsk against Real Madrid in European competitions have produced a total of 14 goals.

Shakhtar Donetsk faced 36 shots and 14 on target against Real Madrid last week - the highest for the team in the competition.

Key Stats:

• Real Madrid have won their last five matches in the UEFA Champions League.
• Real Madrid have won their last three matches against Shakhtar Donetsk in all competitions.
• Real Madrid have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven matches against Shakhtar Donetsk in all competitions.
• Real Madrid have scored at least two goals in five of their last six UEFA Champions League matches.
• Shakhtar Donetsk have failed to win nine of their last 1ten matches in the UEFA Champions League.

Predicted Line-ups:

Shakhtar Donetsk Predicted  Lineup (4-1-4-1): Trubin; Taylor, Bondar, Matviyenko, Konoplya; Stepanenko; Shved, Bondarenko, Sudakov; Mudryk; Zubkov

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Lunin; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric, Tchouameni, Kroos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius

SHA vs RMA: Dream11 Predictions: