Preview

May 3, Mynai, Mynai, 13:00
Live broadcast will be available on the Setanta Sports OTT platform

Match build-up

Shakhtar are leading the standings 7 rounds before finish with 56 points (goal difference: 56-17), still being 5 points ahead of the nearest opponents Dnipro-1 who have one game in hand. The Miners continue their scoring (22 matches) and winning (11) streaks in the championship. Thus, they secured a comeback win in the meeting with Kolos (3-1) last weekend, where Artem Bondarenko scored his fourth goal in the April matches, with Lassina Traore and Kevin Kelsey excelling as well.

The Orange-and-Blacks arrived in Uzhhorod a before the match against Minaj. Head coach of the team took 26 footballers, except for injured Dmytro Kryskiv, Ivan Petriak and Dmytro Riznyk. There are no disqualified players at Shakhtar.

Opponents

Minaj continue fighting for the right to stay in the UPL. The Transcarpathians have got 23 points after 23 matches (goal difference: 17-27) and the 13th spot in the tournament table. Chornomorets possess the same number of points and Veres earned 1 more. At the same time, the Uzhhorod outfit pulled ahead the relegation zone by 4 points.

Minaj demonstrated a record-braking undefeated streak of 3 matches in the elite division in April. Volodymyr’s Sharan’s men beat Kryvbas (1-0), tied with Veres (1-1) and Metalist 1925 (1-1) in the previous rounds. Yehor Tverdokhlib is the best goalscorer of the current season (4 goals). It should be noted that Ihor Honchar and Danylo Kolesnyk will miss the clash with the Miners due to suspension.

Match background

Shakhtar met with Minaj 4 times in the Premier League: The Miners claimed 3 high-score victories (5-1, 4-0, 4-1) and 1 match ended in a draw (1-1). Total goal difference: 14-3 in favour of the Pitmen.

Previous meeting

The teams played at the Arena Lviv on February 28, 2023. Goals by Taras Stepanenko and Danylo Sikan within the first 15 minutes provided the Orange-and-Blacks with a comfortable advantage. In the middle of the first half, Nazarii Vorobchak pulled one goal back, but before the break, Heorhii Sudakov converted a penalty and restored the score difference. Sikan capped the scoring in the 60th minute, securing a brace. 4-1 – win of Igor Jovicevic’s lads.

Shakhtar vs Minaj match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Mykola Balakin. Assistants: Maksym Chos and Taras Klymenko.