Preview

October 27, Kharkiv, OSK Metalist, 17:00
Live broadcast on Futbol 1 channel
  
Before the match
 
Shakhtar are going clear in the Premier League, remaining the only club in Europe to have not lost a single point this season. Luis Castro’s men defeated all opponents, formally opening the second stage with a game vs Oleksandriia. We want to remind you that in the coming spring, after 22 rounds, the participants will be divided into 2 groups of six sides in the second stage.
  
The Orange-and-Blacks will play at the OSK Metalist for the third time in a row. In the previous round in Kharkiv, Shakhtar thrashed Kolos 6-0. On Tuesday, the Champions League game vs Dinamo Zagreb ended in a 2-2 draw. It is noteworthy that the defender Dodo scored his first goals in the domestic league and in European competitions.

Tickets for the match Shakhtar vs Oleksandriia can be purchased at the ticket office and online.  

Opponents
 
In Kharkiv, the champions and the bronze medalists will lock horns. Last season, Oleksandriia claimed the third spot for the first time in their history, currently playing in the Europa League group stage. On Thursday, Volodymyr Sharan’s men played in France vs Saint-Etienne, being tied 1-1. After 3 UEL rounds, the Oleksandriians have just 2 points, still having every chance of reaching the knockout stages.
 
Right after the final whistle, Volodymyr Sharan pointed out that the flight and the match itself quite exhausted the players, so their major objective is having some rest and recovering, with the coaching staff thinking over the lineup to field vs Shakhtar. Obviously, the Oleksandriians will have to make a few changes to the squad in order to withstand the high pace of the encounter, to press effectively, and to have the ability to attack.
 
After 11 rounds, Oleksandriia are sitting in the fourth spot with 19 points, along with Zorya. They are 1 and 4 points adrift of Desna and Dynamo. Last Sunday, Oleksandriia suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of the Kyiv side, having had their unbeaten run interrupted.
 
Head-to-head record
 
In the encounters with the Oleksandriians, Shakhtar have had 17 wins, 1 draw, and 1 defeat. The goal difference is 39-13. In home games: +8=0-1, 19-4.
 
Previous league meeting
 
In the UPL starting round, Shakhtar had a really tough time in Oleksandriia. In the 7th minute, Marlos failed to convert a spot-kick, Khocholava hit the post midway through the first half, with the hosts seizing the initiative and attacking a lot. In the 42nd minute, their efforts were crowned by Tretyakov’s accurate shot. However, in the second half, the Miners managed to turn the game around: all 3 goals were orchestrated by Taison. Initially, Bukhal scored an own goal after the Brazilian’s attempt; in the 73rd minute the Miners’ captain finished off an attack involving Khocholava, Ismaily, and Patrick; finally passing it to Blanco Leschuk who provided an assist to Dentinho - 3-1.