Preview

March 19, Lviv, Arena Lviv, 15:00
Live stream – Setanta Sports

Match build-up

Shakhtar made a good start to the spring part of the UPL, winning 3 consecutive crushing victories – over Minaj (4-1), Metalist 1925 (7-0) and Kryvbas (3-0). Success in Kryvyi Rih was ensured with a spectacular shot by Heorhii Sudakov, the debut goal by Kevin Kelsy and Marian Shved's first goal after return to the game. Thanks to this, the Miners became the sole leaders of the UPL: after 16 matches played, Igor Jovicevic's lads have 39 points and the best goal difference in the championship (43–12).

This week, the Orange-and-Blacks also played the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 match in Rotterdam, where they lost to Feyenoord and completed their European Cup campaign. The team returned to Ukraine on Friday and now concentrate on domestic competitions.

Opponents

Rukh started the second part of the season with a victory over Metalist (2-1) thanks to the goals by Yurii Klymchuk and Yaroslav Karabin, and then they were defeated in the home match against Kolos (0-1). Currently, Leonid Koutchouk's team are in the 12th spot in the table (17 points, goal difference: 19–24), balancing on the edge of the relegation zone.

In the winter, two Brazilians joined the line-up of Rukh: Edson Fernando's return from loan and Jefferson Vinicius's signing as a free agent. However, these players are far from the starting eleven. And the leader of the team is another South American player – Talles, who has 5 goals and 6 assists. We would like to add that main right-back of Lviv team Roman Didyk will skip the match against the Miners due to the excess of cards.

Match background

In the Ukrainian League, Shakhtar and Rukh played 4 matches: the Miners won 3 of them, 1 match ended in a draw. The total goal difference also proves the advantage of the Orange-and-Blacks (6-1).

Previous match

On September 2, 2022, Shakhtar and Rukh met on the field of Ukraina Stadium in Lviv. In the first half, Igor Jovicevic's lads held the initiative, but shortly before the break they were outnumbered after Mudryk was sent off. In the second half, the Miners continued to put pressure on the opponents and finally succeeded: in the 79th minute, Bondar's cross was headed by Yukhym Konoplia right home. This goal was decisive – 1-0 in favour of Shakhtar.

Shakhtar vs Rukh match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Mykola Balakin. Assistants: Taras Chopilko and Yevhen Danylchenko.