Preview

May 9, Kyiv, V. Lobanovskyi Dynamo stadium, 15:30
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar have 57 points after 27 matches (goal difference: 64-24). The Miners secured an away victory over Chornomorets (3-0) in the previous round. The most valuable players in that match were Artem Bondarenko and Newerton: the Ukrainian midfielder scored a decisive goal and provided an assist, while the Brazilian winger netted a brace. Also, this week saw last month’s hero receive his award: fans named Kevin Shakhtar Player of the Month for April.

The Orange-and-Blacks prepared for the upcoming match against the Luhansk side by holding a week-long training cycle at the capital-based Sviatoshyn sports complex. The Pitmen have no suspended players, and the team are awaiting the recovery and return of their leader and top scorer of this season Heorhii Sudakov (13 goals and 6 assists in all competitions).

Opponents

Zorya are in 7th spot in the UPL standings after 27 rounds, having earned 36 points (goal difference: 31-37). The Luhansk side still have mathematical chances of competing for a place in the European zone, trailing their opponents by 7 points. In their last 5 matches, Mladen Bartulovic's men managed to claim just 1 win – against Livyi Bereh (2-1), while tying with LNZ (1-1) away in the previous round. The team's top scorers in the current league campaign are midfielder Petar Micin and striker Pylyp Budkivskyi (both with 8 goals).

Match background

Shakhtar and Zorya played 52 matches in the Ukrainian Premier League: 41 wins for the Miners, 4 draws and 7 victories for the Luhansk outfit. Total goal difference: 127-38 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

The teams locked horns in the UPL first stage match at the Arena Lviv on November 10, 2024. The visitors managed to open the scoring, with Oleksandr Yatsyk finding the net in the 37th minute. However, after the break, the Miners quickly equalised when Artem Bondarenko converted a penalty in the 52nd minute and took the lead almost immediately through a goal from Kevin in the 54th minute. Towards the end of the match, an own goal from the Luhansk side player Jordan sealed the win. 3-0 – a win for Marino Pusic’s side.

Zorya vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Oleksandr Shandor. Assistants – Oleksandr Pavlinov and Vitalii Sukhin. VAR – Dmytro Panchyshyn.