Preview

May 19, Rivne, Avanhard, 17:00
Live stream – Setanta Sports OTT platform

Match build-up

Shakhtar continue to lead in the UPL standings having gained 63 points in 26 games. Dnipro-1, the main competitor in the fight for the title, remain 2 points behind Shakhtar, Zorya are 5 points behind. Igor Jovicevic's lads demonstrate the best efficiency in attack and defence: 60 goals scored and 18 goals conceded. It should be noted that the team's scoring streak has been going on for 25 rounds in a row.

After the victory over Inhulets (2-0) in the previous game, the Miners held an almost week-long training cycle at the Sviatoshyn base. Artem Bondarenko will skip the match against Veres due to excess of cards, and Dmytro Kryskiv, who was injured, returned to the general group and is preparing for the game.

Opponents

Veres have 27 points and are in 10th spot in the table. However, Rivne team have not yet secured a place in the UPL for the next season: if they are separated from the relegation zone by comfortable 5 points, only 1 point separates them from the transitional matches. The performance of the team during this season draws attention: in terms of the number of goals scored, Yurii Virt's team are only inferior to the top 5 clubs of the league (goal difference: 31–38)

In the spring, Veres played several spectacular games, the most notable of which was the April draw with Metalist with ten goals (5-5). At the same time, the results of the Red-and-Blacks left room for improvement, and they managed to win their first victories only in the last month in the second part of the season: first they defeated Lviv (3-2), and in the last round they defeated Metalist 1925 (1-0).

Match background

Shakhtar and Veres played 12 matches in the Ukrainian League: the Miners have 10 victories, 1 draw, Rivne team were stronger 1 time. Total goal difference: 24–6 in favour of Shakhtar.

Previous match

On November 9, 2022, Shakhtar and Veres met at Arena Lviv. Igor Jovicevic's lads scored a goal in each half. In the 30th minute, Sudakov earned a spot-kick, which was converted by Mykhailo Mudryk, and in the 65th minute, Dmytro Kryskiv scored after Stepanenko's pass. 2-0 – the victory of the Orange-and-Blacks.