Preview

Before the match
 
The Miners claimed six consecutive victories, confidently topping the table (21 points). Serhii Shyschenko's charges have been the most prolific in the league (24 goals scored), also delivering the best defensive performance (4 goals conceded). The Orange-and-Blacks demonstrated their power in the past round, when they defeated the then second best league team Karpaty (3-0). In the first half, Maksym Chekh, Oleksii Kaschuk and Dmytro Kryskiv netted goals vs the Lviv side. It is interesting that this season, Shakhtar won all their home games keeping clean sheets. In the game vs Mariupol, the team captain Maksym Chekh will not be able to help the team due to suspension.
 
Opponents
 
Mariupol with Henadii Orbu at the helm confidently started the season, losing points only in the first five meeting and being tied by Olimpik. In the last rounds the team slowed down, still remaining at the top of the table (14 points). They are ranking among the top three sides after the default victory over Dynamo. In the previous match, Mariupol drew with Oleksandriia at home (0-0).
 
Head-to-head record
 
The rivals met for the last time in the 2015/16 season. Back then, Shakhtar claimed a confident home win (3-0), drawing in Mariupol (1-1).