Preview

March 18, Kharkiv, OSC Metalist, 17:00
Live broadcast on Futbol 1 channel
 
Before the match
 
After three away games, Shakhtar are getting back to Kharkiv. They have nine crucial title race clashes ahead. The Miners started preparing for the nearest one on March 15, holding an open training session at the Bannikova training facility the following day, where they presented Olarenwaju Kayode.
 
The Shakhtar newcomer exercises in the general group and adapts to the team. Wellington Nem still trains individually. At the same time, Maksym Malyshev and Sergii Kryvtsov continue to recover, while the season is over for Bernard due to the necessary operation on the shoulder.
 
We want to remind you that the players will go on international duty on the day following the matchday, with the Ukrainian League taking a week’s break.
 
Opponents
 
In the last five UPL rounds, Mariupol had 3 wins and a draw. The only defeat happened in Oleksandriia on February 24, with Hlib Bukhal scoring a goal in the 88th minute.
 
Mariupol secured a place among the top six sides in the final meeting of the first stage, beating Olimpik in a head-to-head encounter (1-0). And on March 11, Oleksandr Babich's men were tied with Zorya at home (0-0). In the 45th minute, Rustam Khudzhamov rescued the team by parrying away a spot kick by Silas.
 
Head-to-head record
 
In 36 league games vs Mariupol, Shakhtar claimed 33 wins, also having 3 draws. The goal difference is 95-25.
 
The Orange-and-Blacks’ home statistics is as follows: 17 wins and 1 draw, 50 goals scored and 11 conceded.
 
Previous league meeting
 
On November 5, the opponents played an excellent match in Mariupol. The Miners scored one towards 30 minutes, when Ordets extended Ismaily’s pass, with Ferreyra finishing it off with a volley just over Halchuk. The hosts conceded one more goal by Marlos just before the break, immediately reducing the deficit in the second half (Fomin took advantage of his chance following Tischenko's pass. Bernard sealed the win in the 56th minute to make it 3-1 in favour of the current champions.