Preview

Before the match

Shakhtar with 11 points are still topping the league table, with the advantage over opponents reducing to a minimum after two consecutive draws. In the previous round, Valeriy Kryventsov's team were tied with Oleksandriia (1-1). In addition, the Orange-and-Blacks again finished the meeting with nine men, with Oleksandr Masalov and Serhii Chobotenko earning red cards and having to miss the game vs Olimpik. Also, the injured Khachaev, Zaporoschenko and Chahovets won’t be able to help the teammates. The previously suspended Valerii Bondar and Viktor Kornienko who has recovered from his injury, are joining the team.

Referee – Mykola Balakin (Kyiv Oblast)
Assistant referees – Ruslan Yermolenko, Denys Marchenko (both from Chernihiv)
Fourth official – Vladyslav Dorosh (Kyiv)
Referee observer – Yurii Moseichuk (Chernivtsi)

Opponents

Olimpik, who in the previous season were challenging a place in the top three and stopped a step away from the U21 league silverware, significantly changed the squad in the summer. A number of team leaders moved to the first team, so it was necessary to use only the club academy youngsters to strengthen the team. Not surprisingly, the start of the 2017/18 season for Ihor Klymovskyi’s boys was not so bright: after five rounds they have 6 points (2 wins and 3 losses) and the 9th position in the table. The Olympians can’t boast high performance with only three goals scored either. They suffered losses without scoring any goals in the recent two games: 0-1 away away defeat at Zorya and 0-3 home defeat at the hands of Chornomorets. The meeting with Shakhtar will be missed by Dmytro Pudy, who was sent off in the match vs the Odessans.

Head-to-head record

Within the framework of the U21 league, Shakhtar and Olimpik had 8 meetings: 7 wins for Shakhtar and a draw, with the goal difference of 19-2.

Last season, the opponents met four times, with Valeriy Kryventsov's men winning on all occasions.

October 14, 2016. Bila Tserkva.
Olimpik U21 0-3 Shakhtar U21
Goals: 0-1 Hluschuk (25), 0-2 Adamenko (30), 0-3 Arabidze (34)

March 16, 2017. Schaslyve.
Shakhtar U21 1-0 Olimpik U21
Goal: 1-0 Ihnatenko (84)

April 14, 2017. Bila Tserkva.
Olimpik U21 0-3 Shakhtar U21
Goals: 0-1 Arendaruk (83), 0-2 Sahutkin (90+1), 0-3 Topalov (90+3)

May 20, 2017. Schaslyve.
Shakhtar U21 4-0 Olimpik U21
Goals: 1-0 Yalovenko (14), 2-0 Arabidze (59, pen.), 3-0 Yalovenko (76), 4-0 Arabidze (90+3)

Interesting facts

Shakhtar have not conceded any goals vs Olimpik in 5 consecutive games: the opponent scored their most recent goal vs Shakhtar back in September 2015.

Shakhtar midfielder Yurii Hluschuk has netted more goals this season (4) than all the opposing players (3).