Preview

December 8, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 17:00
Live stream – MEGOGO, Kyivstar TV, Vodafone TV, Setanta Sports, Volia TV, Sweet.tv and OmegaTV.

Match build-up

Shakhtar will play their 950th match in the Ukrainian Championship and the final one in the UPL in 2023. Currently, the Pitmen have 28 points (goal difference: 24-13) and are in the 4th spot in the table. At the same time, Marino Pusic’s side played 2 games less than all the main competitors (14 against 16), so they are potential leaders of the league.

The Miners began the second stage of the Ukrainian Championship a week ago with a victory over Metalist 1925 (2-0) secured through the goals from Oleksandr Zubkov and Dmytro Kryskiv. These players, as well as Danylo Sikan, Oleksii Kashchuk and Mykola Matviienko, are the team's top scorers in the Premier League (each has 3 goals). It should be noted that Taras Stepanenko, the captain of the Orange-and-Blacks, will miss the game due to suspension.

Opponents

Veres have 12 points (goal difference: 15-24) and are in the 14th spot in the UPL table after 15 matches. After a difficult start to the season, Serhii Lavrynenko's side showed decent results in the last rounds, claiming an impressive win over Metalist 1925 (4-3) and taking points from one of the league leaders Polissia (1-1).

The Rivne-based outfit approach the match against the Miners with personnel losses because the leader of the attack Iago Siqueira (2 goals and 1 assist in the league) and the central midfielder Vasyl Hakman will not help the team due to suspension.

Match background

Shakhtar and Veres played 14 matches in the Ukrainian League: 11 wins of the Miners, 2 draws, with the Rivne team proving stronger 1 time. Total goal difference: 27-8 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

Shakhtar and Veres met in the Ukrainian Cup Round of 16 on September 26, 2023. The first half passed almost without chances and goals, but after the break, the Pitmen got down to business. In the 65th minute, Oleksii Kashchuk finished the move by Azarov and Bondarenko. The same Artem Bondarenko scored a beautiful goal 3 minutes later. Oleh Ocheretko secured the final score after Sikan’s pass. 3-0 – victory of the Miners.

Shakhtar vs Veres match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Kateryna Monzul. Assistants: Maryna Striletska and Svitlana Hrushko. VAR system will be used during the game (Vitalii Romanov will be the VAR referee).