Preview

May 3, Kyiv, V. Lobanovskyi Dynamo, 18:00
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar are confidently leading the title race: after 25 rounds, the Miners have 60 points and the best goal difference (59-16). Arda Turan’s side are eight points clear of their closest challengers, while their advantage over Dynamo stands at 13 points. The Pitmen have built this gap thanks to a strong spring run – 8 wins and 1 draw in Ukrainian Premier League matches. In the previous round, the leaders beat Kudrivka (3-1) with goals from Newertton, Lucas and Bondarenko. The Orange-and-Blacks’ most prolific players this season remain Kaua Elias (11 goals and 7 assists), Luca Meirelles (10/2) and Pedrinho (8/9).

At the same time, Shakhtar continue their demanding schedule – the upcoming match against Dynamo will be the Miners’ ninth in the past month. The Pitmen are playing the Ukrainian Clasico between two legs of the UEFA Conference League semi-finals, where they face Crystal Palace. This Thursday, Arda Turan’s men played in Kraków, returned to Kyiv, and will travel to London for the second leg after Sunday’s match.

Opponents

Dynamo are competing for a European qualification spot. After 25 rounds, the club have 47 points (goal difference: 58-31) and currently sit 4th in the Ukrainian Premier League table. In the previous round, the Kyiv side produced an extraordinary match against Kryvbas, trailing 1-4 at half-time but eventually winning 6-5. This game set a new scoring record in the entire history of Ukrainian championships. Ihor Kostiuk’s side also have hopes in the Ukrainian Cup, where they will face first-division side Chernihiv in the final. Dynamo’s most prolific players this season are Matvii Ponomarenko (14 goals), Andrii Yarmolenko (9) and Nazar Voloshyn (8 goals and 13 assists), although Voloshyn will miss the Ukrainian Clasico due to suspension.

Match background

Shakhtar and Dynamo played 75 matches in the Ukrainian Premier League. The Miners have 29 victories, 21 games ended in a draw, with the Kyiv-based team proving stronger on 25 occasions. Total goal difference: 94-88 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks. Shakhtar’s unbeaten run in the Ukrainian Clasico in the UPL now stands at 8 matches (4 wins and 4 draws).

Previous meeting

On November 2, 2025, the rivals met at the Arena Lviv in the first round of the UPL. The match began with a quick goal from the Miners, as Eguinaldo opened the scoring in the 3rd minute. The rest of the first half was played with Shakhtar in control, but the key moments came after the break. In the 54th minute, Newertton scored the second goal of the Orange-and-Blacks, but a few minutes later the Kyiv side reduced the deficit through Buialskyi. The teams continued to trade chances, but an own goal by Kabaiev settled the contest near the end. 3-1 – Arda Turan’s outfit took the win.

The Dynamo vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by a refereeing team headed by Oleksandr Afanasiev. Assistant – Ihor Rybchenko and Denys Romanov. VAR – Volodymyr Novokhatnii. VAR assistant – Maryna Striletska.