Preview

April 19, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 18:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar's winning streak in the UPL has lasted 4 matches (their unbeaten streak has already reached 12 matches in a row), and currently the Miners continue the title race with 53 points (goal difference: 57-18). The gap from the leaders narrowed to 7 points, with only 1 point separating the Pitmen from second spot. After a confident victory over LNZ in the last round (4-1), Marino Pusic’s men finished the match against Kryvbas this week, which kicked off back in September last year. During the 40 minutes of the second half, the teams exchanged goals (Kevin scored for the Orange-and-Blacks), but the overall result was in favour of the current champions – 2-1.

After the match in Kryvyi Rih, the Miners travelled through Kyiv to Lviv, where they are set to host Kolos. The packed fixture schedule leaves the team with hardly any time to prepare (training sessions were held in each city). Shakhtar still have two crucial matches ahead – the Ukrainian Cup semi-final clash with Polissia and the Ukrainian Clasico in the Premier League against Dynamo.

Opponents

After 24 rounds, Kolos have 24 points (goal difference: 18-20) and are in 11th spot in the UPL standings. The Kovalivka team are only 2 points away from the relegation zone, so the fight for survival at the end of the season remains relevant for them. After a lacklustre start to the spring phase of the championship, the club changed the coach: in mid-March, former head coach Ruslan Kostyshyn returned to the team. Under his leadership, the Black-and-Whites played 4 matches, where they scored 6 points, winning against Zorya (3-0), as well as against Livyi Bereh in previous round (2-0). The top scorer of Kolos in the Premier League is midfielder Andrii Tsurikov (4 goals).

Match background

Shakhtar and Kolos played 12 matches in the Ukrainian Premier League: 11 wins of the Miners, with 1 meeting ending in a draw. Total goal difference: 31-8 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

On October 18, 2024, in the UPL first stage match, the teams played in Kovalivka. The outcome of the match was decided by the only goal, which defender of the Kovalivka-based side Ilir Krasniqi scored into own goal in the 59th minute after a cross from the Miners' Oleksandr Zubkov. 1-0 – the Pitmen won.

The Shakhtar vs Kolos match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Volodymyr Novokhatnii. Assistants – Vitalii Skoblia and Volodymyr Vysotskyi. VAR – Klym Zabroda.