Preview

Before the match

Shakhtar top the Premier League table. After the failure in the previous round, the gap between the Donetsk side and the second spot totals 11 points. The Orange-and-Blacks must win to enjoy a confident lead in the title race.

In the current season’s fixtures vs Olimpik, the Pitmen were held to a 1-1 draw twice. The 11th round match took place in Sumy, as Kharkiv hosted the round 22 clash. Now the opponents will lock horns in Kyiv.

After serving a ban, Yaroslav Rakits’kyy is ready to help the team. On April 13, Paulo Fonseca’s men conducted a training session in Vorzel, where Ivan Ordets trained individually. Taras Stepanenko and Dentinho have already returned to the general group.

The referee of the match - Dmytro Beriozka (Kyiv oblast)
Assistant referees - Andrii Skrypka (Kropyvnytskyi), Volodymyr Volodin (Kherson)
Fourth official - Yevhen Aranovskyi (Kyiv)
Referee observer - Serhii Zadyran (Dnipro)

Opponents

Olimpik are currently fourth in the standings. They are considerably legging behind Zorya (on 6 points), enjoying a slender advantage over Oleksandriya. In the course of the league second stage, the Donetsk team have claimed no wins yet. In the 23rd round, the Pitmen’s opponents played out a draw with Chornomorets, after losing 0-4 to Dynamo last weekend.

Olimpik football players are eager to make amends to their faithful and get a positive result in a clash with the top team. By the way, Roman Sanzhar’s guys have an unbeaten 5-match streak in the Premier League.

Head-to-head

The opponents played 6 domestic league games. Shakhtar have 4 wins under the belt, with 2 other games ending in a draw. The goal difference is 19-4.

As nominal guests, the Orange-and-Blacks sealed two victories and played one draw with a total goal difference of 9-3.

Previous league meeting

Nearly a month ago in Kharkiv, the teams exchanged goals in the first half. On the 24th minute, Postupalenko put Olimpik in front by finishing a rapid move following a turnover upfield. Shakhtar responded with plenty of clear-cut efforts, one of which they converted before hearing a whistle for a break: Blanco Leschuk tapped in the cross from Ismaily to level the scoreline 1-1. Until the end of the match, the Pitmen were on the front foot, however, the opponents managed to soak up the pressure.

Interesting facts

Shakhtar goal-scoring streak in the league started on August 28, 2015 and lasts 44 matches (116 goals).

Marlos can register his 120th outing for Shakhtar.