Preview

March 29, Kyiv, Obolon-Arena, 15:30
The live broadcast will be available on UPL.TV

Match build-up

Shakhtar gained 41 points in 20 UPL matches and are currently in the top three: 10 points behind first spot and 6 points behind second, but the Miners have a game in hand compared to their opponents. Marino Pusic's side also have the best goal difference – 46 goals scored and 16 conceded. The Pitmen started the second half of the championship with victories over Livyi Bereh (1-0) and Oleksandriia (3-0), followed by draws with Kryvbas (1-1) and Karpaty (0-0). The top scorers are Heorhii Sudakov (10 goals) and Artem Bondarenko (9 goals).

During the international break, 9 Shakhtar players defended the honour of their national teams and returned to the club just a few days before the match against Obolon. In general, the Miners returned to Kyiv for the first time in several months, and since the beginning of this week, the team have been training at the Sviatoshyn country base. It should be noted that Brazilian midfielder Pedrinho, who has recovered from an injury, is training in the general group. On the other hand, defender and team captain Mykola Matviienko will miss the match due to suspension.

Opponents

Obolon have 18 points after 21 rounds of the championship (goal difference: 12-35) and are currently 14th in the standings. The Kyiv-based outfit returned from the winter break in good spirits, beating Vorskla (1-0) and tying with Polissia (0-0), but then lost to Zorya (1-2) and Oleksandriia (0-4). The most prolific players are Oleh Slobodian and Viktor Bliznichenko (2 goals each). Serhii Shyshchenko's side filled the international break in March with friendly matches against first-league league Epitsenter (3-2) and Zorya (1-2).

Match background

Shakhtar and Obolon have met three times since the Kyiv club's return to the UPL, with all games ending in victories for the Miners. Total goal difference: 8-0 in favour of the Orange-and-Blacks.

Previous meeting

The teams locked horns in the first stage match at the Arena Lviv on September 23, 2024. Artem Bondarenko opened the scoring in the 17th minute, and after the break, the Pitmen scored three more times: Lassina Traore, Heorhii Sudakov and Newetton all found the net. 4-0 – a convincing win of Marino Pusic’s lads.

Obolon vs Shakhtar match will be officiated by the judging panel headed by Andrii Kovalenko. Assistants – Dmytro Zaporozhenko and Nazarii Tsmokanych. VAR – Roman Blavatskyi.